Mapo-gu to Host 'Volunteer Harmony Festival' on the 3rd at Hongdae Red Road

(Photo by Mapo-gu Office)

Mapo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Gang-su) will hold the ‘2023 Mapo-gu Volunteer Harmony Festival’ on the 3rd at Hongdae Red Road.

This festival is organized to express gratitude and encouragement to volunteers who have devoted themselves in various fields throughout the year, to share the value of volunteering, and to spread the culture of volunteerism.

The Volunteer Day ceremony, which was held annually at the Mapo-gu Office, has been moved to Hongdae Red Road for the first time this year and will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 3rd along the Hongdae Red Road R5 and R6 sections (Eoulmadang-ro 32?48).

The event will feature various volunteer promotion and experience booths as well as talent donations. Nine non-profit organizations, including the Mapo Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities, will offer experiences such as ‘Schulrun’ and other sports for the disabled, Braille experience, traditional tea ceremony, disability awareness improvement, visual impairment experience, health and nutrition cookie making, traditional games like ‘Gonu,’ promotion of ‘NGO Byeokhwarang’ and caricature demonstrations. Additionally, volunteer program instructors will donate talents such as calligraphy, hand knitting, and making bokjori (traditional Korean rice winnowing baskets).

At the ceremony, certificates of commendation will be awarded to 183 volunteers who have made significant contributions to volunteer activities, and six Mapo-gu residents who have accumulated 1,000 hours of volunteer service will receive the Volunteer King plaques.

Currently, Mapo-gu has over 100,000 volunteers, 230 non-profit volunteer organizations, and 16 volunteer camps.

Mayor Park Gang-su of Mapo-gu said, “From the Jamboree event to flood and disaster sites, and volunteering for the elderly, I sincerely thank all volunteers who dedicate themselves to helping those in need.” He added, “We will do our best to support and work together so that the warm hearts and energy of volunteers spread throughout the community, making Mapo a warm and caring place.”