The 20th Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival 'Cancelled'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeon Seong] Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim Junsung) announced on the 10th that the official events of the ‘20th Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival’ have been canceled.

Instead, from next month 18th to October 4th, a 17-day simple flower viewing period will be operated at the Bulgapsa tourist site, including the Chuseok holiday.

Even though the festival is canceled, many tourists are expected to visit the Bulgapsa tourist site to see the Sangsa flowers blooming in mid-next month, the blooming season of the Sangsa flower. Accordingly, the Festival Promotion Committee (Chairman Kim Yongsik) is working closely with the county to thoroughly prepare for the flower viewing period so that tourists can view the Sangsa flowers and leave.

During the flower viewing period, prioritizing tourist safety, temperature checks and mask-wearing confirmations will be conducted at the entrance of the tourist site, and social distancing staff will disperse crowded tourists within the Sangsa flower colonies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

They are also considering producing and filming videos and photos to allow people to see the beautiful Sangsa flowers online and uploading them on the festival website.

The county plans to have local residents directly operate specialty product sales booths and Halmae Market to promote local specialties to tourists, generate income for residents, and inject some vitality into the local economy, which has been depressed due to COVID-19. Recruitment for local residents will be conducted through the festival website by the Festival Promotion Committee within this month.

Governor Kim Junsung said, “Although the official events of the 20th Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival, a representative autumn flower festival, have been canceled due to the impact of COVID-19, we will do our best with the Festival Promotion Committee to welcome tourists so that they can safely view the flowers.”