Gwangju City, 'Hanmaeum Festival' Commemorating Farmers' Day on the 9th

A Grand Festival "Eolsso" at City Hall Outdoor Music Hall
Rice Cake Sharing Event and Agricultural Specialty Products Exhibition

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung attended the '29th Farmers' Day - Bitgoeul Farmers' Festival' held at the outdoor music hall of the city hall on the morning of the 9th and participated in a rice consumption promotion performance with the guests. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City commemorated Farmers' Day (November 11) by hosting the "29th Farmers' Day - Bitgoeul Farmers' Festival" on the 9th at the outdoor music hall of City Hall.

Hosted by Gwangju City and organized by the Federation of Farmers' Organizations, the event was attended by about 800 people, including Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Shin Su-jeong, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, National Assembly members Ahn Do-geol, Park Gyun-taek, and Min Hyung-bae, Gwangju City Council members Hong Gi-wol, Im Mi-ran, Choi Ji-hyun, Park Pil-soon, and Lee Gwi-soon, Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, Park Byung-gyu, Mayor of Gwangsan-gu, Lee Hyun-ho, Head of the Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, the chairpersons of the Federation of Farmers' Organizations, heads of local agricultural cooperatives, farmers, and citizens.

Mayor Kang stated, "We will become a Gwangju City that prioritizes the value of agriculture to provide even a small support to farmers who have suffered from the exceptionally severe heatwaves, abnormal climate, and rice planthopper damage," adding, "We will do our best to create a society where farmers' lives become happier and the value of agriculture is more respected."

This year, the event was not only for farmers but also included citizens, featuring various activities such as sharing Garaetteok (rice cake), performances, sports events, and an agricultural specialty product exhibition. Additionally, a resolution was adopted stating, "Gwangju farmers will take responsibility for food security and food sovereignty and ensure citizens' food supply." To promote rice consumption and commemorate Garaetteok Day (November 11), a performance cutting an 11-meter Garaetteok and a sharing event were held.

On the first floor lobby of City Hall, the "Excellent Agricultural and Specialty Products Exhibition," showcasing about 90 types of local agricultural specialty products, will be held until the 13th.

Meanwhile, since last year, Gwangju City has been the first metropolitan city to provide a public benefit allowance to farmers. This is to promote the public value of agriculture and create a sustainable agricultural environment, and this year, it was paid to 8,425 farming households.