Gwangju Nam-gu Continues 'Archery Popularity' into Gugung

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The ‘Gukgung Archery Family Love Experience Camp’ will be held until the end of November at Gwandeokjeong in Sajik-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, which is the center of the city’s traditional archery range and a place used for Gukgung, Korea’s traditional martial art.

According to Nam-gu on the 23rd, the Gukgung Archery Family Love Experience Camp, where children and parents participate together, will be held at Gwandeokjeong in Sajik Park from October 25 to November 27.

Following the increased national interest in archery after the Tokyo Olympics, residents’ interest in Gukgung, a collection of our nation’s skills and techniques, has also risen. To promote traditional culture and provide opportunities for experience, the Gukgung archery experience camp program has been prepared.

This program is held every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for two hours.

Ten families, each consisting of children and parents, will participate and learn about our traditional martial art through the unique experience of archery.

Participants in the Family Love Experience Camp will learn the basics such as archery posture, how to select arrows, and how to use the kakkji (finger tab) together with Kang Won-ju, the head instructor of Gwandeokjeong.

They will practice shooting at short distance of 7 meters, as well as at longer distances of 15 meters and 30 meters, and will compete in the ‘Gwandeokjeong Head Instructor Archery Competition’ scheduled for the end of November to showcase the skills they have honed.

A Nam-gu official stated, “The Gukgung Archery Family Love Experience Camp is designed to increase interest in our culture through traditional cultural experiences, boost the morale of local residents affected by COVID-19, and support various experiential activities. It will greatly help in talent development and strengthening family bonds.”