Gurye-gun, Chrysanthemum Seedling Sharing on Buddha's Birthday

A Good Case of Coexistence at Hwaeomsa Temple: Sharing Chrysanthemum Seedlings Among Residents

Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim Soon-ho) announced that on the 27th, as part of an initiative to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday and create a beautiful world filled with flowers, 5,000 chrysanthemum seedlings were distributed free of charge at Hwaeomsa Temple.

The chrysanthemum seedlings were nurtured by the Gurye-gun Urban Regeneration Support Center and members of the Kkotchaeun Chrysanthemum Love Association. These are bright and modest yellow garden chrysanthemums that bloom in mid-October.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

Additionally, 108 ‘Magic Lab Frames’ were distributed to children, allowing them to create instant pressed flowers using Bodhi tree leaves, an experience event that attracted many visitors.

Since 2015, Gurye-gun and Hwaeomsa Temple have signed an MOU to cooperate in aiming for the future based on history, culture, and tourism, ensuring the success of Gurye-gun’s urban regeneration projects.

From 2019, they distributed Buddha flowers and daylily seeds and seedlings, and since last year, they have been distributing chrysanthemum seedlings, which have received enthusiastic responses from the public.

The chrysanthemum seedling sharing event has become a good example of coexistence between residents who actively support the transportation of chrysanthemum exhibition pots and the Urban Regeneration Harmony Festival, and Hwaeomsa Temple.

Lee Jeong-hee, who came from Hadong, said, “Since 2019, I have visited Hwaeomsa Temple to receive Buddha flowers, daylilies, and chrysanthemum seedlings to plant in my garden. Receiving different seedlings every year has greatly helped in garden creation, and I am happy to grow them well and share them with acquaintances nationwide.”

Jung Yeon-gwon, director of the Gurye-gun Urban Regeneration Support Center, said, “We will continue to cooperate with Hwaeomsa Temple to revitalize Gurye-gun’s urban regeneration and do our best to create a beautiful Gurye filled with flowers.”

Meanwhile, the Gurye-gun Urban Regeneration Support Center has opened a chrysanthemum education center to 85 members of the Kkotchaeun Chrysanthemum Love Association, cultivating over 800 works including large chrysanthemums and Hyunae chrysanthemums.

Kkotchaeun means “filled with flowers,” a Korean phrase that aligns with the meaning of Gurye as a path to nature.

The Kkotchaeun Chrysanthemum Love Association plans to hold an 『Integrated Harmony Festival』 starting October 27, alongside the chrysanthemum exhibition, featuring local wheat bread, Nogodaljang, and other events to revitalize the urban regeneration alley commercial district.

Gurye = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Mi-seok hss79@asiae.co.kr