Suncheon-si Palma Cultural Festival Establishes Itself as a Representative Summer Festival

Cultural Heritage Night Tour and Complex Convergence Festival Boost Local Economy

No Gwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon, Thanks Citizens for Showing Suncheon's Strength

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that the “41st Suncheon Palma Cultural Festival,” held under the theme “Palma-ya (八馬夜) Cheongha-ya (淸夏夜) - Palma’s Night, Clear and Blue Summer Night,” successfully concluded after four days from the 15th to the 18th in the old downtown area.

This event was held together with the previously separate Cultural Heritage Night Walk event. The Palma Cultural Festival conveyed the value of local culture and arts to citizens and showcased the historical and cultural heritage values embedded in cultural assets through the night walk.

Palma Cultural Festival Commemoration Ceremony Integrity Performance
(from left, Heo Dong-gyun, Superintendent of Suncheon Office of Education; Noh Kwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon; Kang Hyung-gu, Chairman of Suncheon City Council; Kim Seok-woon, Chief of Suncheon Fire Station)
Photo by Suncheon City

About 58,000 citizens and visitors attended this integrated festival, enjoying the festivities throughout the old downtown, spreading warmth to local businesses across the area.

Now in its 41st year, the Palma Cultural Festival is Suncheon’s representative cultural event that widely promotes and inherits the “Palma Spirit” of integrity symbolized by the upright official Choi Seok through culture and arts. Especially this year, cultural contents aimed at delivering the somewhat rigid theme of “integrity” in a friendly manner to various age groups stood out.

The commemorative ceremony began with a traditional military band parade and concluded with a VR drawing performance combining cutting-edge technology and cultural arts, breaking conventional molds and attracting the audience’s attention with a blend of tradition and modernity.

Additionally, programs spanning all generations from children to middle-aged adults were held, including a science concert by science creator Gwedo, the Tanghulu Challenge by influencer Seo-ib, and a congratulatory performance by singer Min Kyung-hoon.

On the festival’s final day, the 18th, about 200 people including citizens, workers, and volunteers gathered to march from Palma Monument to the West Gate Information Center holding hanji lanterns and lanterns, expressing their hope that the vitality in the old downtown would continue.

They celebrated the festival’s finale by encouraging each other for their hard work during the four hot days of the event.

Nearby shop owners said, “Although business had been tough due to the recent economic downturn, many customers came through this event, bringing back vitality,” and added, “We hope various events will be held frequently so that many people continue to visit the old downtown.”

A city official expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks to the active cooperation of related agencies such as the police and fire departments, the event was safely completed without any accidents,” and added, “We have gained the strength to leap forward as a more developed festival next year and hope for continued interest.”

During the four-day event, Suncheon Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu, who visited the venue three times, said at the final day’s event, “For the region to change, the triad of citizens, public officials, and the mayor must harmonize around a single value,” and expressed deep gratitude to the citizens who once again proudly demonstrated their pride in being Suncheon residents following last year’s Garden Expo.

Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Night Walk held during the same period expanded from the existing Palma Monument to Suncheon Hyanggyo section to include the Maesan area, interpreting the value of traditional cultural heritage left by ancestors and modern medical, educational, and missionary heritage left by missionaries 100 years ago through humanities.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr