Following last year, Spring Flower Festival Canceled Again... Non-Face-to-Face Attractions Prepared for Residents Weary from COVID-19 ...Photo Zones, Outdoor Gallery, and Cheongsachorong Path Created for Light Walks While Maintaining Social Distancing
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) has decided to cancel the spring flower festival, which was held every April, again this year following last year, to comply with the government's social distancing policy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of citizens.
The Jang-an Cherry Blossom Road, where the spring flower festival was held, stretches 3.4 km from Gunja Bridge to Yeon-yuk Bridge along Jungnangcheon Stream, and is a representative spring flower spot in Dongdaemun-gu where cherry blossoms, cornelian cherries, forsythias, Kerria japonica, azaleas, and other flowers bloom in full, allowing visitors to fully feel the spirit of spring.
Instead of the festival, the district installed spaced flower, butterfly-shaped photo zones, and shadow photo zones along the Jang-an Cherry Blossom Road (Gunja Bridge to Gyeomjae Bridge section) from April 1 to 11, so that residents can enjoy light walks under the shade of flowers while complying with quarantine guidelines.
Also, in the approximately 900m outdoor gallery section from Jangpyeong Bridge to Jang-an Bridge, works by local photography clubs are exhibited under the theme "News of Spring Coming." Along the section, Cheongsachorong (traditional Korean lantern) paths and LED lights are installed so that from dusk until 11 p.m., visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms harmonized with various colors of light under the moonlight.
However, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all visitors must comply with social distancing and wear masks when viewing all facilities, and eating or drinking on the cherry blossom road is prohibited.
The district plans to capture the site on video so that residents can enjoy the beautiful spring flowers remotely at home, and will release the footage on the Dongdaemun-gu Office YouTube channel.
Along with this, a non-face-to-face event will be held: a photo contest targeting beautiful scenery and spring flowers of the Jang-an Cherry Blossom Road taken directly by local residents.
Residents wishing to participate in the contest can download the application form from the Dongdaemun Cultural Foundation website from April 12 to April 25 and submit it along with their photos.
The Dongdaemun Cultural Foundation will select a total of 60 winners through judging and provide an opportunity to exhibit their photos in the outdoor gallery of Jang-an Cherry Blossom Road later.
You Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, "Although we cannot hold the festival for the safety of residents due to COVID-19, we have prepared small attractions along the walking path and non-face-to-face videos and events so that residents can safely enjoy the spring flowers and soothe their weary hearts from COVID-19 by following quarantine rules." He added, "We ask all citizens to comply with quarantine rules such as social distancing while taking walks, and we also ask for your great interest in the videos and events provided remotely."
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