Gwangju Chungjang Festival D-100 Days... Busy Preparing for a Successful Event

Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 28th that it is stepping up preparations for the ‘20th Gwangju Memory of Chungjang Festival,’ which will be held from October 5 to 9 at the 5·18 Democracy Square and Geumnam-ro area, now 100 days away.

To commemorate D-100 days until the Chungjang Festival, the ‘2023 On-site Festival Forum’ (co-hosted by the Korea Festival Directors Association and Dong-gu) was successfully held with the participation of top domestic festival directors who have led premier festivals, including Dr. Rado Sam from Seoul Institute, Yoon Sung-jin, director of Sejong Festival, Kang Young-gyu, director of Chuncheon Mime Festival, Jo Hyung-je, director of Joseon Royal Tombs Cultural Festival, Son Jae-oh, director of Mokpo World Madang Festival, Kim Baek-gi, director of Seomjingang International Experimental Art Festival, and Kim Tae-wook, director of Gwangju Memory of Chungjang Festival.

At this forum, various experiments and challenges by top domestic festival general directors were shared, and the Chungjang Festival operation team’s immediate tasks were proposed, focusing on ways to establish the Chungjang Festival as a ‘regional representative cultural brand’ and a ‘sustainable cultural content.’

Additionally, the poster, character, and dress code for this year’s coming-of-age Chungjang Festival were announced, attracting attention from attendees. The festival poster series revealed the first of six works titled ‘Geumnam Scenery,’ created by Gwangju-born picture book artist Choi Yong-ho.

The Chungjang Festival dress code suggested school uniforms and blue fashion, which are widely enjoyed and symbolize youth.

Meanwhile, on the 24th, the citizen and youth planning group ‘Jjini,’ which will lead the Chungjang Festival, held its inauguration ceremony and began full-scale activities.

The 19 members of ‘Jjini,’ who were finally selected through first and second rounds of screening, will actively participate not as simple assistants but as citizen participants responsible for planning, executing, and promoting key programs throughout the festival period.

Im Taek, mayor of Dong-gu, said, “With the 20th anniversary of the Chungjang Festival just 100 days away, we will make every effort to showcase diverse and high-quality cultural content and brand power,” adding, “Based on the 19-year history, we ask for the citizens’ great interest and participation so that the newly reborn Chungjang Festival this October can be successfully held.”