Gangbuk-gu to Host '4·19 Revolution National Cultural Festival 2024'

April 12-19 Gangbuk-gu Representative Cultural Festival ‘4·19 Revolution National Cultural Festival 2024’ Held
Inheriting the Spirit and Values of the 4·19 Revolution Democracy to Future Generations…Only Local Government in Gangbuk-gu
April 12 ‘1st National 4·19 Choir Competition’, April 18 4·19 Revolution Street Play Also Presented
Eve Event ‘Rak (樂) Music Festival’…Popular Singers Jang Yoon-jeong, Park Jung-hyun, Koyote and More Perform

The history of the victory of democracy in the Republic of Korea, the April 19 Revolution. To commemorate that day and share the values of freedom, democracy, and justice, the cultural festival 'April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival 2024' will be held from April 12 to 19 in the Gangbuk-gu area of Seoul (District Mayor Lee Soon-hee).

Marking its 12th year, the April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival has established itself as a nationwide patriotic cultural event representing the April 19 Revolution and is the largest festival in Gangbuk-gu. Since 2013, the district has hosted the festival to inform the public about the significance and values of the April 19 Revolution and to pass them on to future generations. Gangbuk-gu is the only local government in the country to promote the spirit and lessons of the April 19 Revolution through a large-scale festival. Last year, over 60,000 people visited during the festival, and the number of visitors continues to grow each year.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, "The April 19 Revolution is the first historic victory of democracy in our country," adding, "Inheriting the spirit of the April 19 Revolution, all of us who love the nation, our neighbors, freedom, and peace are the protagonists of this festival."

The April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival is hosted by Gangbuk-gu, the April 19 Democratic Revolution Association, the April 19 Revolution Victims' Families Association, and the April 19 Revolution Contributors Association. It is organized by the April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival Committee and supported by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and KBS.

New Program in 2024: The 1st National April 19 Choir Competition on the First Day, April 12

About 400 Participants Join in a Grand Chorus of the 'Song of April 19'... Grand Prize Awarded by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

This year, a new program, the '1st National April 19 Choir Competition,' will be held on the first day of the festival, Friday, April 12, at the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery in Uidong. This competition holds great significance as it aims to share the 'April 19 democratic ideals resisting injustice' from the preamble of the Republic of Korea Constitution with the public through song.

On the day, 12 adult choirs from across the country, having passed preliminary rounds, will compete in the finals with free-choice pieces embodying the spirit of freedom, democracy, and justice of the April 19 Revolution. After the competition, about 400 participants will perform a grand chorus of the 'Song of April 19' to honor the victims and contributors of the April 19 Democratic Revolution, creating a magnificent spectacle that will move the audience.

After judging, the grand prize (one team) will receive the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Award (with a prize of 5 million KRW), the excellence award (one team) will receive the Seoul Mayor's Award (3 million KRW), and two teams will receive the Gangbuk-gu Mayor's Award (2 million KRW each).

Various Competitions of the April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival Run for Over 10 Years... Established as Nationwide Events

On April 13, the National University Student Debate Competition, and on April 14, the National Student Drawing and Writing Contest

The various competitions of the April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival have been held for over 10 years, establishing their status as nationwide events. On Saturday, April 13, the 11th National University Student Debate Competition will be held at Hanshin University from 2 PM to 6 PM under the theme "Youth Speak of Democracy."

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Four university teams that passed the preliminary and final rounds will engage in heated debates exchanging opinions on Korean politics and society. The final judging of the '2nd National Cartoon Contest' will also take place at Gangbuk-gu Office on the same day.

On April 14, from 2 PM to 6 PM at the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery, the '11th National Student Drawing and Writing Contest' will be held, where 300 students in drawing and 119 in writing, totaling 419 students, will showcase their talents under the theme "Love for the Country and Democracy."

April 13?17 Memorial Cultural Performances 'Together Spring 4·19'

Providing Strength and Comfort to Commuters

Now in its second year, the memorial cultural performance 'Together Spring 4·19' will be held four times from April 13 to 17. To improve accessibility for citizens, from April 15, the stage will be moved to areas near subway stations crowded during evening hours.

On the first day, April 13, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery, performances including Hakseungmu (monk dance), Jindo Bukchum (drum dance), Pungut, Dosalpurui, the Ahn Chi-hwan Band, and the Gangbuk Youth Orchestra will grace the stage.

From April 15 to 17, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM near Samyang Station Lotte Mart (15th), the Comprehensive Sports Center (16th), and Suyu Station Episode 838 (17th), local artists from the 'Gangbuk Music Crew' such as Tae-oh, Hwang Jae-min, the Chaeum ensemble, Jenny and Good Friends will offer beautiful and exciting melodies to provide strength and comfort to commuters.

April 18: 46 Various Interactive Booths on the Theme of April 19

'1960 Street Reenactment Parade National Competition' Offers Fun and Enjoyment

On April 18, the festival venue stretches from Gangbuk-gu Office Intersection to Gwangsan Intersection. At the entrance, a large arch-shaped digital gate LED screen will display citizens' messages and slogans celebrating the UNESCO registration of the April 19 Revolution, changing dynamically throughout the day.

Last year, Korea achieved the meaningful accomplishment of having the 'April 19 Revolution Records' inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. To commemorate this, the 'April 19 Revolution Exhibition Hall' at the festival will display photos and records capturing vivid moments of the revolution.

From 1 PM to 6 PM, 46 interactive booths themed on April 19 will welcome citizens. These citizen-operated booths include making lanterns, diffusers, gardens, Taegeukgi puzzles, independence and democracy monuments, patriotic calligraphy, learning sign language, and tarot experiences.

Additionally, on the outdoor stage, performances by Gangbuk-gu affiliated arts groups and artists from various genres will continue. The Gangbuk Silver Orchestra, traditional magicians, and various mime artists will entertain visitors with fun and enjoyment.

From 4 PM to 5:30 PM, continuing from last year, the '1960 Street Reenactment Parade National Competition' will take place. Participating teams will parade from the entrance arch of the pre-event venue to the main stage and then perform team performances on the main stage.

Following this, from 5:30 PM to 6 PM on a special stage, the 'April 19 Revolution Street Drama' will be performed. Students who were protagonists of the April 19 Revolution will reenact the day they resisted injustice. The reenactment overlaps with the revolutionary scenes of students and citizens in April 1960, evoking the historical cheers and emotions.

Pre-Event 'Rock (樂) Music Festival' Featuring Popular Singers Jang Yoon-jung, Park Jung-hyun, Koyote, and More

Spreading the Spirit of the April 19 Revolution Worldwide to 'Foreign Exploration Teams' and Others

The festival's highlight pre-event, the 'Rock (樂) Music Festival,' will open spectacularly on April 18 at 7 PM on a special stage set up from Gangbuk-gu Office Intersection to Gwangsan Intersection.

This year, popular singers Jang Yoon-jung, Park Jung-hyun, Koyote, as well as Korea's representative bands Daybreak and the exciting rock indie band Galaxy Express will thrill the audience.

For the safety of attendees, vehicle traffic will be completely restricted from 1 AM on April 18 to 4 AM on April 19 between Gangbuk-gu Office Intersection and Gwangsan Intersection.

Gangbuk-gu expects a large crowd for the 'April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival 2024' and has formed a joint inspection team with related agencies such as the police and fire departments to conduct safety inspections of facilities and passageways and to thoroughly prepare for any accidents through simulations.

Meanwhile, since 2016, Gangbuk-gu has organized a 'Foreign Exploration Team' composed of 20 foreign residents in Korea and invited them to the April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival. This year's team will participate in a one-night, two-day program starting April 18, including visits to the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery, the April 19 Revolution Memorial Hall, the Yoo Young-bong Memorial Hall, viewing the festival, and a temple stay at Hwaggye Temple, learning and experiencing Korea's democratic spirit.

On April 19, the 64th Anniversary April 19 Revolution Commemoration Ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, will be held at the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, "This year's April 19 Revolution National Cultural Festival is an occasion to reflect on the spirit of the April 19 Revolution and a place where all generations, from children to adults, communicate and harmonize with love and peace," adding, "We hope many citizens will show interest and participate in the festival, which offers abundant sights and activities for families."