Dobong-gu Pyeonghwa Ullimteo 'Peace Prayer Concert' Held... Yongsan-gu Hosts Play on Independence Activist Lee Bong-chang's Life

[Seoul District News] Dobong-gu Hosts Free Performance "Towards Peace" at Peace 울림터 on June 21 in Commemoration of Memorial Month... Yongsan-gu Presents Original Play "Kinoshita, Matsui, Bongchang" at Yongsan Art Hall Small Theater Garam on June 18 and 19 at 4 PM... Dongjak-gu Participates in '2022 My Country Travel Expo,' Introducing Local Attractions and Festivals like Yongyang Bongjeojeong and Sayuksin History Park... Gangnam-gu Advances 'Gangnam Innovation Education District Our Village Exploration School' Project from June 14 to August 31

Performance scene of Dobong-gu Peace Ulim Center 'Dobong-gu Residents Healing Concert with Woori Bank' (May 7, 2022, Dobong-gu Peace Ulim Center)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) will hold a 'Peace Prayer Concert' at 7:30 PM on the 21st at Pyeonghwa Ullimteo (next to Pyeonghwa Cultural Base, Dobong-dong 1-8).

This 70-minute performance under the theme 'Towards Peace' is specially planned to commemorate the Month of Patriots and Veterans in June. The concert gains additional significance as it is held at Pyeonghwa Ullimteo, a space where the traces of confrontation and division on the Korean Peninsula are reborn through culture and arts.

The stage conveys the hope that all countries involved in the Korean War will move beyond confrontation toward peace and cooperation. Baritone Go Seong-hyun, world traditional music performer Woo Gwang-hyeok, Areumdri Multicultural Choir, as well as tenor Lee Jun-seong, soprano Park Hyun-ah, Artmap, Epic Magic Enter, Lavie Ballet, and Dobong-gu Boys and Girls Choir will perform beautiful melodies and performances.

Advance reservations for the concert can be made until June 20 through the Dobong-gu website (Participation, Internet Registration/Survey) or the Dobong-gu Culture and Tourism Division. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and on-site admission on the day is possible only for remaining seats. In case of rain, the concert will be held at Dobong Harmony Hall in the Dobong-gu Citizens' Hall.

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, "I hope this concert praying for peace through music will provide a meaningful time to reflect on the noble sacrifice of our patriotic ancestors and the meaning of love for our country."

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) will present the play ‘Kinoshita, Matsui, Bongchang’ (written by Lim Seon-bin, directed by Kim Yoon-geol) in June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans. The play depicts the life of independence activist Lee Bong-chang, who was born and raised in Yongsan, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of his martyrdom.

Since declaring Yongsan as the ‘City of Patriotic Ancestors’ last April, the district has been holding various events with local art groups (including visual arts, theater, literature, and photography) to remember the patriotic spirit of independence activists.

This performance, as part of these efforts, will be hosted by the Yongsan Theater Association (supported by Yongsan-gu Office and Yongsan Cultural Center) and held at 4 PM on the 18th and 19th at the Garam Small Theater in Yongsan Art Hall.

The title of the play is derived from the names Lee Bong-chang used: ‘Kinoshita Shozo,’ the name he used after moving to Osaka at age 25 and calling himself a ‘new Japanese,’ and ‘Matsui Kazuo,’ the name he used after moving to Tokyo to live more thoroughly as a Japanese.

The play focuses on how a young man who tried to conform to the times became an independence fighter who terrified the Japanese emperor, highlighting the human struggles and inner conflicts in Lee’s extraordinary and intense life, as reflected in his multiple name changes.

Admission is free, with seating for 200 people on a first-come, first-served basis. The cast includes actors Ko In-bae, Hong Jeong-jae, Shin Hwang-cheol, Lee Gil-won, Lee Seo-i, Kim Gwang-ryeol, and Yoon Jun-ho.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “This is a special opportunity to see the life story of ‘Yongsan’s hero’ Lee Bong-chang in Yongsan, where key figures of the Provisional Government are enshrined and the spirit of independence is preserved. I hope it will be a precious time to honor the deeds of our patriotic ancestors and deeply engrave their spirit in our hearts.”

Additionally, the district will continue the ‘2022 Patriotic Ancestors Exhibition,’ displaying portraits of martyrs, and exhibitions of original poems and photographic works themed on patriotic ancestors at the Yongsan Art Hall exhibition room until July.

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) will participate in the ‘2022 My Country Travel Expo’ held from the 16th to the 19th at Seoul Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), introducing representative local tourist attractions and festivals such as Yongyangbongjeojeong and Sayuksin History Park.

This travel expo is hosted and organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Association, aiming to encourage free domestic travel after the recovery from the pandemic.

Considering the continued high interest in domestic travel amid the COVID-19 situation, the district joined the expo to promote and revitalize local travel destinations worth visiting.

First, the district will operate a ‘local pavilion’ independently under the keywords ‘Healing trip in the city’ and ‘Hidden Han River night view spots,’ promoting Yongyangbongjeojeong and park, National Seoul National Cemetery, Noryangjin Fish Market, Boramae Park, Sayuksin Park, and Cupbap Street.

Additionally, a ‘photo zone’ will be set up where visitors can indirectly experience the beauty of the Han River night view visible from Yongyangbongjeojeong Park and take travel photos, with instant photo shooting and printing events.

Moreover, a survey on Dongjak-gu travel will be conducted, and participants will receive travel pouches as gifts. A program will also be operated where visitors can hear stories about local attractions through professional commentary by cultural tourism guides.

Furthermore, discount coupons usable at youth cafes and tourist hotels will be provided to increase visitor interest and support the rapid recovery of the tourism industry.

The Dongjak-gu local pavilion will operate from 10 AM to 6 PM throughout the event. For more details, contact the Sports and Culture Division.

Park Tae-han, Director of the Sports and Culture Division, said, “As residents and the local tourism industry have faced difficulties due to COVID-19 over the past three years, I hope this expo will help revitalize lesser-known local travel destinations. We will continue to create various opportunities so that people can enjoy free travel in Dongjak-gu.”

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) will continue the ‘Gangnam Innovation Education District Our Village Exploration School’ project from the 14th through August 31, following its launch in March.

The ‘Gangnam Innovation Education District’ is a project where the city, education office, autonomous district, and local community collaboratively create a school-village education community. This year marks its fourth year under the vision ‘Me? You? Us, Quality Education Gangnam.’

The ‘Our Village Exploration School’ project supports field trip experience fees and transportation for elementary, middle, and high schools in the district. It was planned to provide educational and cultural facility experiences to youth who had limited opportunities for outdoor activities due to COVID-19. In March, the district conducted the first exploration project for 582 students from four schools, receiving positive responses.

For the second exploration, 42 schools with about 7,800 students applied. Based on selection criteria (hub schools and priority for schools deferred in the first selection), 27 schools with about 2,800 students were selected. The 15 schools not selected this time will be given priority in the second half of the year’s project.

Joo Myung-ae, Director of the Education Support Division, said, “Education is the driving force of all growth. We will continue to promote Gangnam’s unique creative innovation education projects utilizing local human and material resources to nurture future talents with creativity and character.”