Changwon-si Seongho Life Culture Center, a New Breeze of Life Culture with 'Again, in the Village'

A Village Cultural Festival Reborn as a Special Opportunity for 'Communication' in the Era Disrupted by COVID-19

Changdong Art Village artists and local residents are collaborating on a joint project. [Image source=Changwon-si Seongho Life Culture Center]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] Changwon-si Seongho Life Culture Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) is revitalizing residents exhausted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) through the 'Again, in the Village' project.

'Again, in the Village' was selected in May for the '2021 Regional Lifestyle Culture Activation Pilot Project' announced by the Regional Culture Promotion Agency.

This project, led by the Center, is being promoted in the Masan, Changwon, and Jinhae areas until November through cooperation among 13 resident organizations, village cultural facilities, social enterprises, cooperatives, and the Changwon Cultural City Support Center.

The main project, 'Happy Uichang Walking Trail,' transformed the walking trail into a diverse cultural experience space, and an abandoned tunnel left as an eyesore was converted into a performance venue.

Yeoja Dolsan Village, with its 100-year-old laundry site and well, became an experiential village and a place for intergenerational communication where grandmothers share old stories.

'Communicating Without Noise Disputes Between Floors,' conducted by the Pureunnaeseo Residents' Association, is led by experienced resident members and includes regular meetings.

In Seongho-dong, part of Cheonhajangsa Road, various festivals such as a Ssireum (Korean wrestling) competition and a trot king selection contest are being prepared for November.

Additionally, artists from Masan Changdong Art Village and residents explore the area, taking photos of their own landmarks with their phones to produce a booklet titled 'Odongdong 100 Views,' creating spaces throughout the village for communication.

Choi Yoon-jung, CEO of 'Exciting Neighborhood,' who participated in the project, said, "Families have grown with people who came out of fear of disconnection, such as a mother and daughter who couldn't stand being indoors," adding, "The role of lifestyle culture is to give breath to villagers struggling due to COVID-19."

Center Director Lee Jae-gyun said, "I was worried whether we could carry out the project in the COVID-19 era when daily life was halted, but residents actively participated and led the project to success," and added, "Based on the pilot project's results, we will establish a lifestyle culture where village residents are the owners."

Meanwhile, the pilot project 'Again, in the Village' can be found on Instagram, Naver Cafe, and Facebook pages, and for detailed inquiries, contact the Changwon-si Seongho Life Culture Center.