Gwangju Dong-gu, Diverse Events for the 41st Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Im Taek) is carrying out various projects to inherit the spirit of May Gwangju on the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement.

According to Dong-gu on the 13th, on the 14th, Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu and public officials will visit the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery to pay tribute to inherit the noble spirit of the May martyrs.

In Junam Village, where civilians were killed in a bus shooting incident during May 18, a ‘Giyeok-i Nieun-i’ festival for healing and peace sublimated from pain and wounds will be held together with village residents.

On the 16th, residents and new public officials will walk together to pilgrimage historical sites located in Dong-gu, such as around the May 18 Democratic Square.

This walking pilgrimage will involve visiting historical sites to hear vivid stories of that day from May 18 survivors, and at each site, memorial flower offerings and writing on wish trees will be conducted. The final program of the pilgrimage, the May Music Concert, will feature various performances such as pungmulgut, poetry recitations, and May original songs.

On the 28th, there will be a time to encounter May 18 through film at the Dong-gu Video Media Center. Attendees will watch “Gwangju Video: The Missing 4 Hours” (2020), which traces the still unrevealed four hours of the mass shooting scene, and have a discussion with a docent from the May 18 Democratic Movement Archives.

Additionally, a special photo exhibition supporting and promoting the democracy movement in Myanmar, which closely resembles May Gwangju, is being held in the first-floor lobby of Dong-gu Office until the 21st.

Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu said, “I hope this will be an opportunity for many residents to deeply engrave the noble spirit of the May martyrs in their hearts, comfort the souls of the victims, and share and commemorate the passionate scenes of May.”