‘Yangrim & Christmas Cultural Festival’ to be Held in Nam-gu, Gwangju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Yangnim & Christmas Cultural Festival will heat up the Yangnim-dong area in Nam-gu, Gwangju from the end of the Year of the Tiger to the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.

With a variety of events and attractions such as a Christmas parade, costume transformations, and a carol contest, the modern historical and cultural village is expected to be bustling.

According to Nam-gu on the 8th, the 2022 Yangnim & Christmas Cultural Festival will embark on a month-long journey from the 13th of this month to January 13th of next year.

First, a large Christmas tree and landscape lighting will illuminate the winter night sky of Yangnim-dong.

In particular, on the 13th at 5 p.m., a lighting ceremony for a large Christmas tree about 18 meters high will be held at Yangnim Five-way Intersection, and this tree will remain lit throughout the festival period.

Also, at the entrance of Yangnim-dong Craft Specialty Street, the one-way section and around the missionary cemetery will welcome visitors with unique landscape lighting including large and small trees.

Along with this, two photo zones linked with trees will be created around the residence of missionary Woo Il-seon and the Craft Specialty Street, offering visitors to Yangnim-dong memorable photo opportunities.

The biggest change in this year’s festival is that Yangnim-dong residents actively participate in the festival to present various attractions to citizens visiting the area.

This is to foster Gwangju’s only Christmas cultural festival held during the Christmas season into a representative local community festival.

To this end, about 100 Yangnim-dong residents will join the ‘Yangnim Hello Parade’ with visitors at the festival site for about two hours starting at 2 p.m. on the 24th.

Tourists can rent modern costumes near Yangnim Five-way Intersection and then join the parade with Yangnim-dong residents dressed as Santa Claus and Rudolph.

Also, a Christmas concert will be held at the Yangnim-dong CCC Center on the 17th, and on the 13th, 17th, and 24th, costume SNS events and games will be held at the Craft Street Lawn Square in Yangnim-dong, offering souvenirs.

Carol songs will resonate on the main streets of Yangnim-dong from the 17th to the 25th, when the festival atmosphere intensifies.

First, nine speakers will be installed at intervals on the street from Yangnim Five-way Intersection toward Mudeung Park Mansion. This is to play a medley of lively yet gentle and touching carols for visitors during the festival period.

Also, at the Craft Street Lawn Square, high-quality carol busking performances comforting the hearts of citizens visiting Yangnim-dong will be held on the 17th, 18th, 20th, 24th, and 25th. A total of nine teams will perform, with three teams performing each day.

In addition, various programs such as tours around modern historical sites in Yangnim-dong, Christmas cookie house making, face painting, craft experiences, and a national carol contest will be held.

A Nam-gu official said, “To advance as Gwangju’s representative winter festival, the Nam-gu Christian Denomination Council, Yangnim-dong residents, and administrative agencies collaborated to prepare the festival,” adding, “We hope that various people, including beloved family and lovers, will have a happy time in Yangnim-dong.”