[10 Years Since Sewol] "Hope for a Safe Country"... Ansan Hwarang Amusement Park Dyed with Yellow Ribbons

② Memorial Visits Continue in Ansan
"We Will Not Forget" Making Scented Candles and Writing Postcards with Children

"I brought the kids. I thought the memorial would be somber, but it feels like a festival."

On the afternoon of the 13th, Baek Kyung-mi (43), a housewife, spoke at Hwarang Amusement Park in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province. Her elementary school-aged child, holding her hand tightly, had a yellow ribbon symbolizing the Sewol Ferry tied to their arm and backpack.

On the 13th, at Hwarang Amusement Park in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, citizens wrote messages to the victims during the Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary 'Memory Culture Festival.'
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

On the weekend leading up to the 10th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry tragedy, the 'Memory Culture Festival' was held at Hwarang Amusement Park, where a yellow wave shimmered from the entrance. Yellow handkerchiefs were tied to branches everywhere, and people strolling along the paths added meaning by hanging yellow ribbons on their necks, arms, and backpacks.

There were also many who seemed to be out for a warm weekend outing. Citizens smiled as they took commemorative photos under the fully bloomed cherry trees. Office worker Lee Gyu-cheol (54) said, "I heard today was the last weekend to see cherry blossoms, so I came out with my family from Siheung, Gyeonggi-do. I didn’t know there was a Sewol Ferry 10th anniversary memorial event, but since there are many activities, I’m enjoying them with my kids."

On the 13th, citizens participated in an experiential program at the Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary 'Memory Culture Festival' held at Hwarang Amusement Park in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

On the 13th, citizens participated in an experiential program at the Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary 'Memory Culture Festival' held at Hwarang Amusement Park in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

At the 4·16 Life Safety Park site where the event was held, various citizen experience booths such as bookmark making, candle making, postcard writing, and anggeum flower making were set up, enhancing the event’s atmosphere. Passersby stopped in front of booths with programs they liked, watching and taking photos.

The most crowded spot was the anggeum flower making booth. Holding piping bags filled with yellow dough, participants each made yellow tulip-shaped anggeum flowers, smiling brightly. A first-year student from Danwon Middle School who participated said, "It was my first time making a cake, and it was fun. I plan to join other programs too."

On one side of the venue, a space was set up to recreate a Danwon High School classroom with a blackboard, desks, and chairs. Citizens held chalk in front of the large blackboard to write messages to the Danwon High School students who lost their lives or sat at desks carefully writing letters for the victims. Some sat at desks taking commemorative photos for each other.

On the 13th, at Hwarang Amusement Park in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, citizens wrote messages to the victims during the Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary 'Memory Culture Festival.'
[Photo by Seohee Lee]

Ha Dong-eun (37) from Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, said, "It’s been 10 years since the Sewol Ferry sank, but the cause of the accident has not been properly revealed, and nothing has changed. I wrote a letter with a message apologizing to the children. I hope our country becomes one where we can trust the government and where children are safe, so the victims’ deaths are not in vain."

At the nearby Gyeonggi Museum of Art, several events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster were also underway. In the first-floor lobby, craft works made directly by the Sewol Ferry bereaved families were displayed, attracting citizens’ attention. On the second-floor exhibition hall, the 10th anniversary commemorative exhibition "We, the Sea" was held, bustling with visitors who came to appreciate the works. Visitors with family or partners pointed at the artworks or whispered to each other, enjoying the pieces in a calm atmosphere.

On the 13th, citizens are appreciating artworks at the Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary Exhibition "We, the Sea" held at the Gyeonggi Museum of Art in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

Meanwhile, on the 16th, the day of the Sewol Ferry disaster’s 10th anniversary, a Sewol Ferry 10th anniversary memorial ceremony is scheduled to be held at Hwarang Amusement Park in Ansan. Over 100 bereaved families and mourners will attend, with moments of silent tribute, memorial speeches, and readings of remembrance letters for the victims.