Gwangju City Holds 'Martyrs Memorial Ceremony and Commemorative Performance'

The Gyeonggi Gwangju Cultural Center held a memorial ceremony for the patriotic martyrs on the 19th at the Gwangju City National Veterans Park.

Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan is paying respects at the Memorial Ceremony for Patriotic Martyrs held on the 19th at Gwangju City National Veterans Park. Photo by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

Held in commemoration of the ‘85th Patriotic Martyrs Day,’ this memorial ceremony is conducted annually on a rotating basis by the three cultural centers of Gwangju, Seongnam, and Hanam. It began in 2006 and marked its 18th event this year.

Shin Geum-cheol, director of the Gwangju Cultural Center and chairman of the Namhansanseong Cultural Area Council representing the three cultural centers, stated in his opening remarks, “I hope this event will serve as an occasion to carry on the noble spirit of independence and sacrifice of the patriotic martyrs from Seongnam, Gwangju, and Hanam who sacrificed their lives fighting against Japanese imperialist aggression for the liberation of our homeland.”

About 100 people attended the event, including Mayor Bang Se-hwan, directors of the Gwangju, Seongnam, and Hanam Cultural Centers, heads of veterans’ organizations, and families of veterans, to pay tribute to the patriotic martyrs. The memorial ceremony proceeded with a shamanistic ritual dance, national ceremony, progress report, memorial speeches, recitation of memorial poems, and offerings of flowers and incense.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan said, “The spirit of independence of the patriotic martyrs is our pride and the foundation of the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today. Gwangju City will also do its best to emulate the spirit and will of the martyrs to further grow and develop our city and create a city where all citizens are happy.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Gwangju branch of the Liberation Association presented a creative operacle (opera + musical) titled ‘Heroes of the Heavenly Sovereign’ in honor of Patriotic Martyrs Day. ‘Heroes of the Heavenly Sovereign’ (Cheonja: an honorific term for independence activists) is a creative operacle based on the life stories of independence activists Han Baek-bong, Won Tae-woo, Shim Sang-gak, and Lee Geun-ju, produced to highlight their dedication and sacrifice.