'The 1st Subakdeung Rose Garden Village Festival' Successfully Concludes 3-Day Event
Affiliated Officials and Residents United in Preparation with 'One Heart, One Mind'
Praised as 'A Place for Attractions, Fun, and Sharing Warmth Among Residents'
Residents of Wolsan 4-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City spent a rare moment together sharing warmth amidst vibrant flowers.
The 1st Watermelon Lantern Rose Garden Village Festival, the first event organized by the Wolsan 4-dong Administrative Welfare Center, is being praised for revitalizing the neighborhood by engaging closely with local residents over the course of three days.
On the last day of the first-ever Subakdeung Rose Garden Village Festival held this year, residents are gathering together and enjoying a joyful time.
The 1st Watermelon Lantern Rose Garden Village Festival was held from the 8th to the 10th at the Wolsan 4-dong Administrative Welfare Center area. It is said that the festival was planned inspired by the roses planted by residents throughout the village.
During the approximately three months of preparation, the public officials belonging to Wolsan 4-dong were extremely busy. With a limited budget, they had to work tirelessly on the ground to prepare the festival.
While performing their assigned duties, the officials took time to maintain the village by planting roses in various spots and cleaning up trash. They personally visited residents to explain the festival’s purpose and asked those with gardens to open them to citizens during the festival period. Requesting residents to keep their private homes open for three days was not an easy thing to ask.
As a result, the gates of four houses with gardens, usually firmly closed, were wide open during the festival. The residents readily agreed.
This festival was prepared entirely by the village residents from start to finish. It was truly a 'resident-led festival' conducted in harmony with the community.
Residents planted rose bushes provided by the Administrative Welfare Center in pots and bloomed flowers in front of their homes. Nearby cafes also contributed by purchasing additional new rose bushes beyond those provided to support the village festival preparations.
A temporary parking lot was needed for the three days of the festival, and a resident generously offered their currently vacant private land free of charge. The festival flyers were not outsourced to a professional company but were designed directly by the public officials. In this way, Wolsan 4-dong officials, residents, and volunteers worked together seamlessly to prepare the event.
On the festival days, volunteers took charge of difficult tasks such as guiding garden tours and managing parking, providing great support. Nearby religious groups and village residents held sharing events offering waffles, buchujeon (chive pancakes), and drinks, allowing people to check on each other and providing visitors with enjoyable food.
On the last day of the first-ever Watermelon Lantern Rose Garden Village Festival held this year, the food-sharing booth prepared by the residents gained popularity.
During the festival, tea ceremony and etiquette experiences were also led by village residents, and a city poetry recital concert and free singing performances were arranged as talent donations from residents.
On the last day, when many people were expected, the officials thoughtfully installed fabric shades in front of the Administrative Welfare Center to block the blazing sunlight.
One resident said, "The village residents, who used to only exchange greetings occasionally while passing by, now have a wonderful opportunity to share warmth in such a good setting," adding, "Once all the roses that have yet to bloom fully open, the somewhat bleak atmosphere of the village will brighten up."
On the final day of the festival, Kim Byeong-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, city council members Seo Im-seok and Im Mi-ran, Nam-gu council members Nam Ho-hyeon and Kim Gwang-su, and Jeong Jin-uk, the elected representative for Dong-gu Nam-gu (Gap), also visited the festival site to spend time engaging with the residents.
Jeong Yeong-du, head of Wolsan 4-dong, said, "The rose bushes planted throughout the village earlier this year will bloom even more beautifully next year, bringing a lively atmosphere to the neighborhood," adding, "Next year, we plan to create a 'Rose Road' along the Watermelon Lantern Alley across from the Administrative Welfare Center, connecting it to the main stage at the center."
He continued, "I want to express my deep gratitude to the Wolsan 4-dong officials and residents who worked together like one body and treated this as their own task throughout the preparation process."
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