[Seoul District News] 'Like General Gang Gamchan, We All Overcame' Cheers for Each Other Overcoming Hardships & Cultural Renaissance 'Goryeo' Inspired, Diverse Cultural Programs & Abundant Entertainment, Food, and Donation Opportunities for Flood Recovery... Nowon Street Arts Festival from the 10th Across Nowon-gu, Enhancing Cultural Access & Circus, Puppet Shows, and Various Arts Every Weekend Until the 30th
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will hold the '2022 Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival' under the theme of 'The New Battle of Gwiju, Gang Gam-chan's Dream' from the 14th to the 16th around Nakseongdae Park.
General Gang Gam-chan is a hero of Goryeo who overcame long wars. The district suggests that the residents, who have been overcoming COVID-19 and flood damage with strong will for a long time, are today's 'General Gang Gam-chan.'
The district has been re-examining the historical value of General Gang Gam-chan, sharing the hero's honor and spirit with the residents, and fostering local pride. The 'Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival' has established itself as a unique historical brand festival of Gwanak-gu, and this year it has been revamped with various programs to return as an in-person festival after three years.
During the festival, Nakseongdae Park will be recreated as a small village from the Goryeo period, adding modern interpretations to prepare for enjoyment by various age groups. Especially, the legend that the general was born where a big star fell at midnight is realized in the festival, featuring splendid productions blending 'stars' and 'light' throughout the festival site.
On the first day, the 14th, the memorial rites for General Gang Gam-chan, 'Inheonje,' and 'Nakseongdae Night Gathering' will begin. On the 15th, the Gang Gam-chan Song Festival 'Nakseongbyeolgok,' promoting residents' harmony, and the fantasy performance 'Nakseongyeonhui,' interpreting the birth legend of General Gang Gam-chan with drone and laser shows, will be the main programs.
'Little Gang Gam-chan,' inheriting the general's patriotic spirit, will perform children's Nanta percussion on the song festival congratulatory stage. There will also be opportunities to understand Goryeo history and General Gang Gam-chan through programs like 'Gang Gam-chan Golden Bell' and 'Goryeo History Forum.'
On the last day of the festival, residents become the main characters on stage. The human janggi (Korean chess) competition 'The New Battle of Gwiju, Jangiyo!! Meongiyo!!' will select the janggi king of Gwanak-gu, showcasing the results of lifelong education and cultural programs from 21 autonomous community centers in the district.
Reflecting the rich cultural prosperity of Goryeo through trade, various permanent programs are also prepared. 'Byeokrando 21,' consisting of a cultural experience zone resembling a Goryeo tavern, a flea market, and food trucks; the 'Star Photo Zone' where visitors can hang wish stars; and 'Gang Gam-chan Playground' in harmony with nature aim to captivate children and overseas visitors alike.
As this is the first in-person event in three years, residents' expectations were reflected, and their proactive opinions were incorporated into the festival planning process. Programs like 'Green Hero Gang Gam-chan' and 'Shouting Star' are contents created by graduates of the Gwanak Cultural Foundation's citizen cultural planners training course 'Space Gate School' 2nd class. Residents also participated as supporters in operation and promotion, adding meaning to the festival as a community effort.
In particular, this festival includes the purpose of supporting flood recovery from the recent heavy rains, canceling events such as the traditional parade to share hearts with affected residents, and conducting the 'Happier Sharing Flood Recovery Support Program.'
Some of the proceeds from the flea market, food trucks, and Gang Gam-chan Cafe 'Goryeo Tea House' at the festival site will be donated to flood victims. Various donation participations are possible, from online item donations operated as pre-programs to on-site fundraising linked with the 'Star Photo Zone' and 'Mood-up Small Donation Box.'
Mayor Park Jun-hee said, "I hope that residents tired from COVID-19 and flood damage will receive comfort through the festival and hasten the recovery of joyful daily life." He added, "The Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival, which inherits the value of General Gang Gam-chan and is created together with residents, is not only a source of pride for residents but also a festival of public-private cooperation and harmony, giving it greater significance. We will establish it as a festival representing not only Seoul but also the Republic of Korea."
Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will hold the 2022 Nowon Street Arts Festival, a representative cultural event of the area, for three weeks starting from the 10th.
The street arts festival was prepared to provide residents with diverse cultural experiences where they can enjoy high-quality culture close to their homes. Residents can freely watch performances by famous domestic street artists on frequently passed walking trails or parks near their homes.
This year's street arts festival starts on the substitute holiday, the 10th, and continues every weekend from the 15th to the 30th, with a total of 25 performance teams performing 39 times while touring various locations in the area. Various genres of artistic performances are prepared to suit the characteristics of each venue.
At 'Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail,' filled with old memories and nostalgia, circus works depicting the ups and downs of life and environmental performances will be held. At 'Seokgye Station,' which has heavy foot traffic, dynamic movement-based yeonhiguk (traditional Korean performance) will be presented, and in children's parks, mime, clown, and puppet shows loved by children will be showcased.
The opening performance to mark the start of the street arts festival will begin at 2 p.m. on the 10th at the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Visitor Center. It will be held in conjunction with the Nowon Green Campus Town Project Group's flea market on the substitute holiday.
What makes this year's street arts festival more special is that it is not only inviting famous domestic street artists but also attempting to connect local artists with the festival through the district's creative and production projects.
Since March, the district has supported local artists with specialized street arts training courses and production costs. One team's work, selected through an internal showcase, will be officially presented to residents at the final performance on the 30th and distributed to other performing arts festivals.
The street arts festival schedule may change depending on COVID-19 and performers' circumstances. Detailed information and schedules can be found on the Nowon Cultural Foundation website.
Nowon Street Arts Festival, established as a representative cultural brand of the district, was planned in 2020 amid the COVID-19 situation to improve residents' cultural accessibility.
This year, it was planned in two parts: a hub-type in the first half and a touring type in the second half. The first half included four performances linked with the spring festival 'Azalea Festival,' attended by about 40,000 residents, establishing it as a representative cultural brand of the district.
Mayor Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu said, "We prepared this to present art that is open to all residents, not just specific audiences." He added, "I hope you gain vitality in life through this unique cultural experience unfolding in everyday spaces."
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