Dobong-gu Continues Cultural Protest Condemning Russia's Invasion of Ukraine... 'Peace Resonance Center Opening Concert' Sings Hope for Ukraine Support, Solidarity, and War's End on 26th at 2 PM with 90-Minute Program Themed 'Dancing Peace,' 'Singing Peace,' 'Resonating Peace'
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dong-jin Lee) continues cultural protests expressing solidarity and support for Ukraine, condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On March 4, the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors (Chairman Dong-jin Lee, Mayor of Dobong-gu) issued a statement strongly criticizing Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, which threatens world peace, and wished for the war to end as soon as possible.
Subsequently, on March 17, the Korean Human Rights Cities Council (Chairman Dong-jin Lee, Mayor of Dobong-gu) held a press conference next to the Russian Embassy in Korea with Dong-jin Lee, Moon Seok-jin (Mayor of Seodaemun-gu), Kim Jeong-sik (Mayor of Michuhol-gu, Incheon), and others, announcing a "Statement Condemning Russia's Invasion of Ukraine and Supporting Ukraine," calling for an end to the war and international solidarity.
Chairman Lee said at the press conference, "Human rights violations caused by war cannot be justified for any reason. Our country has also suffered from war and knows its horrors better than anyone. We hope for Russia's swift cessation of the war and peaceful resolution, and let us support Ukraine and join international solidarity."
Four Ukrainians, including Konstantin, a member of the Seoul Pops Orchestra, and Andrey Litvinov, a teacher at Gwangju Ji-hye Alternative School, participated in the press conference, conveying that South Korea's interest and support will be a great strength for their homeland suffering from the war.
Additionally, Dobong-gu will hold the "Peacecho Park Opening Concert," praying for peace in Ukraine, at 2 p.m. on the 26th at Peacecho Park, a large-scale outdoor performance facility where the traces of confrontation and division from the Korean War have been reborn as culture and art.
Dobong-gu Peacecho Park, a result of careful consideration of "carbon neutrality" and "revitalization of performance culture," was built near the Peace Culture Base, where anti-tank defense facilities were transformed into cultural and artistic spaces. The Peace Culture Base is a space where Dobong-gu, Seoul, preserved historical traces through a spatial regeneration project since 2014, turning the long-neglected anti-tank defense facilities, symbols of confrontation and division, into a cultural and artistic space.
This historical symbolism is also reflected in the design of Peacecho Park. The waterway at the entrance, made by connecting 19 gun barrels, embodies the hope that all 19 countries involved in the Korean War?including the 16 UN member countries, the war parties South and North Korea, and China?will move beyond confrontation toward peace and cooperation.
Peacecho Park is the first public institution's large-scale eco-friendly outdoor music hall that amplifies sound sources solely through sound reflection without separate audio equipment. It implements the patented Sound-focusing effect, where sound starting from the central stage is reflected and amplified by dozens of glass panels surrounding the stage, delivering the original sound's emotion vividly.
The "Peacecho Park Opening Concert" will last 90 minutes under the themes "Dancing Peace," "Singing Peace," and "Resonating Peace," at a time when the preciousness of peace is felt more urgently than ever due to the situation in Ukraine.
The first segment expresses the ongoing pain of division at this site, scarred by the Korean War, through Korean dance (Kwon So-hyun, Shin Hyun-ji), praying for peace in Ukraine. Ukrainian singer Jamila's song "1944" will be performed with a flash mob by 64 dancers from the University Dance Coalition (UDC), Unending, Ob Dance Academy, and Roots Dance Academy.
Following this, the Seoul City Choir will perform a quartet featuring tenors Ryu Seung-gak and Jeong Bo-ram, baritones Jang Cheol-yu and Kim Hong-min, a peace chorus by the Dobong-gu Women's Choir, and a traditional Korean music performance by Choi Ye-rim.
The Dobong-gu Symphony Orchestra will begin with "Spring of My Hometown," a solo by Ukrainian violinist and concertmaster of the Dobong-gu Symphony Orchestra, Salo Sergei, expressing longing for his homeland and earnest wishes for peace.
Notably, Konstantin, a Ukrainian member of the Seoul Pops Orchestra who participated in the Korean Human Rights Cities Council press conference on the 17th, will collaborate in the symphony orchestra performance, delivering a message of anti-war and hope.
In the final segment, Dobong-gu Mayor Dong-jin Lee, tenors Ha Man-taek and Kim Yong-ho, baritone Yeom Dong-eon, and soprano Kim Hye-hyun will sing in support and solidarity with Ukraine and hope for the end of the war. They will conclude the concert by flying paper airplanes together, wishing the resonance of peace to reach Ukraine and embracing everyone's hearts.
The dancers who performed the flash mob announced that they will donate part of their performance fees to the Ukraine Peace Relief Fund to add meaning to the performance. Professor Kim Sun-yeop of the Department of Performing Arts at Baekseok Arts University, the general director, said, "There are various ways to resist evil power. I believe that all citizens of the world can impose strong direct or indirect sanctions through their own expressions from their positions."
Mayor Dong-jin Lee of Dobong-gu said, "For our people who have experienced foreign invasion and the pain of division, Ukraine's situation brings even greater pain and sorrow. I hope our wish for peace expressed through today's performance will comfort them, and I pray that the war will stop soon and peace will come. Music always gives us comfort and hope. I hope that Peacecho Park will continue to be a broad vessel embracing culture, art, and hearts, delivering great resonance to the residents."
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