Damyang-gun Cancels 'Santa Festival' and Others to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Damyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Damyang County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Choi Hyung-sik) announced on the 21st that it will cancel the Changpyeong Traditional Food Festival, the Street Tree Love Music Concert, and the Santa Festival, which were scheduled to be held in the second half of this year, to block the local spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of residents and tourists.

The county planned income-generating festivals highlighting the unique characteristics of each season to promote Damyang's beautiful four seasons: spring (Chuwolsan Cherry Blossom Festival), summer (Bamboo Festival), autumn (Changpyeong Traditional Food Festival, Street Tree Love Music Concert), and winter (Santa Festival).

However, considering the ongoing local COVID-19 infections since early this year and the fact that the area was designated a special disaster zone due to heavy rains in August with recovery efforts underway, the decision was made to cancel the events.

Nonetheless, to ease the disappointment of canceling the Santa Festival, which has become a winter tourist attraction, and to comfort residents exhausted by COVID-19, the county plans to install nighttime landscape lighting such as Christmas trees to illuminate the old downtown and Meta Provence, operating for two months starting this December.

Governor Choi Hyung-sik said, “Although the cancellation of the festivals raises concerns about the local economy's downturn, we have unavoidably decided to cancel with the health and safety of residents as the top priority. We will establish festival strategies that can flexibly respond to external factors to revitalize the local economy.”