Reopening After 3 Years Due to COVID-19 Spread
Planted Over 18,000 Trees of 228 Species on 2,510 Pyeong
Visitors Say "Wow, Amazing" Busy Taking Photos
Citizens are spending healing time at the Rose Garden of Chosun University, which reopened after three years due to the impact of COVID-19.
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] “Seeing such beautiful roses makes me feel like flowers are blooming in my heart too.”
At 11 a.m. on the 19th at Chosun University in Gwangju Metropolitan City, from toddlers holding their teachers' and friends' hands tightly, couples linking arms, to middle-aged couples accompanying their elderly parents, everyone was busy pressing their camera shutters.
The famous “Rose Garden” in Gwangju, which had been closed and not operated due to COVID-19, has fully reopened after three years, attracting citizens who came to see the colorful variety of roses.
Although the cameras varied?from digital cameras to mobile phone cameras?the bright smiles on their faces were all the same.
It seemed like the entire area was a photo zone; after taking a few steps, they would stop again and continuously take pictures.
They wrinkled their noses at the fragrant floral scent and took deep breaths, while exclaiming “Wow, amazing!” in admiration.
Imisuk (55), who came with her parents, said, “We were thinking about where to go to get some fresh air with my mother and father, and I heard that the Chosun University Rose Garden is nice, so we came. Seeing so many roses in one place, my body and mind are healing after a long time,” she said in admiration.
A young child, pulling on the hand of a daycare teacher, seemed to want to express that the rose was bigger than their face, even bringing their face close to the rose.
The 8,299㎡ (2,510 pyeong) Chosun University Rose Garden is originally famous as a rose garden for local residents.
However, due to the spread of COVID-19, it was not operated for the past two years.
There are 228 varieties and about 18,000 rose bushes planted, including Hybrid Tea (large single flowers blooming year-round), Floribunda (medium-sized clustered flowers blooming year-round), Landscape (shrub or landscaping roses), Antique Touch, Miniature (small single flowers blooming year-round dwarf varieties), and Climbing Roses.
Citizens are spending healing time at the Rose Garden of Chosun University, which reopened after three years due to the impact of COVID-19.
Chosun University began operating the rose garden as part of the University Park development project started in 2000 to improve the educational environment.
With a donation from alumni of the medical school who wished for students to cultivate sensitivity and character, becoming professionals with warm hearts who reflect on society’s pain as well as specialized knowledge, the first phase was established in February 2003. With donations from Gwangju Bank, local residents, faculty, and students, it was expanded to the current rose garden in September 2008.
Every May, as a token of gratitude to the local residents who supported the establishment and development of Chosun University, a Rose Week is held, making it a local landmark and source of pride.
Here, the native rose variety called “Sonyeo” (meaning “Girl”) also draws attention. The rose “Sonyeo” was dedicated to the grandmothers who were victims of the comfort women system and was selected from roses bred by Professor Han Taeho of Chonnam National University at the request of the Korean Rose Society.
“Sonyeo,” symbolizing the grandmothers’ frozen time, was registered with the National Seed Management Office, and its English brand name is “Unfortunate Angels,” representing the grandmothers’ unfortunate fate.
There is also a rose named “Peace,” named in April 1945 at the end of World War II, which was presented to representatives of various countries attending the founding meeting of the UN in September of that year.
Lee Kanghee, head of the Chosun University Public Relations Team, said, “We hope that people can spend healing time from their tiring daily lives in the rose garden that Chosun University cultivates to provide a resting space for local residents. On the 21st and 22nd, the parking lot will also be open for free, so we hope everyone can have a happy time with the beautiful roses.”
Meanwhile, to protect the garden, the Chosun University Rose Garden opens at 7 a.m. in both summer and winter seasons, closing at 9 p.m. in summer and 8 p.m. in winter.
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