Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation Launches 'Heeroaerak'
Recruiting Villages and Cultural Clubs for 2025
On a quiet afternoon, after finishing lunch, people begin to gather one by one at the village community center.
Inside the community center, where some have already arrived with slow steps, elderly residents are dancing to the lively trot and janggu rhythms performed by the local cultural club.
After a round of excitement, a calm settles in, and as the seniors sit back comfortably with popcorn and drinks in hand, the lights dim and the movie begins.
Since 2021, the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation's "Traveling Village Theater 'Heeroaerak'" has been touring nine towns and villages, including remote mountainous areas in Yeongdeok. This year, the program is once again recruiting participating villages and volunteer cultural clubs.
Traveling Village Theater 'Heeroaerak' film screening at Gakri 1-ri, Byeonggok-myeon on July 25 last year. Provided by Yeongdeok Cultural Tourism Foundation
Last year, the "Traveling Village Theater" project visited community centers with limited access to culture, screening movies and hosting performances by local cultural clubs. A total of 26 events were held, receiving enthusiastic responses from residents. The films shown were released at least two years prior and featured lead actors of a similar age group to the village seniors.
In particular, not only popular films like "Jangsu Sanghoe," "Bebop Barula," and "I Love You," but also documentaries such as "My Love, Don't Cross That River" were screened, sharing deep emotions. Before the movie screenings, local cultural clubs such as Haepalang Gogo Janggu, Dure Minyo, and Yeju Jumma Nanta gave volunteer performances, adding to the excitement.
In 2025, the Traveling Village Theater 'Heeroaerak' plans to visit a total of 50 villages?twice as many as last year. The project will be divided into two regions based on Yeongdeok-eup: the southern region (Namjeong-myeon, Jipum-myeon, Dalsan-myeon, Ganggu-myeon, Yeongdeok-eup) and the northern region (Yeonghae-myeon, Chuksan-myeon, Changsu-myeon, Byeonggok-myeon, Yeongdeok-eup).
Recruitment for participating villages and cultural clubs began on March 6 and applications are still open.
Villages wishing to host the "Traveling Village Theater" can simply fill out an application form and submit it by email, or deliver it to the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation (Cheongpumgo in Yeongdeok-eup, Yeju Cultural Arts Center in Yeonghae-myeon), as well as to the Yeongdeok Welfare Foundation or the Korea Care Cooperative Yeongdeok Branch.
Local cultural clubs wishing to participate in volunteer activities such as performances, experiences, or photography can also submit an application by email or deliver it directly to the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation (Cheongpumgo in Yeongdeok-eup, Yeju Cultural Arts Center). Clubs participating in volunteer activities will receive a small activity fee and have their volunteer work recognized.
A representative from the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation said, "Since the project began in 2021, we have achieved great results thanks to the steady support of the Yeongdeok Life Culture Center, Yeongdeok County Health Center, Yeongdeok Welfare Foundation, and the Korea Care Cooperative Yeongdeok Branch, among others." The representative also expressed gratitude to all the organizations involved. Furthermore, they added, "This year, due to the overwhelming requests and enthusiasm from village seniors, we plan to visit even more villages. We are fully prepared to offer touching films and enjoyable performances, so we encourage many to apply."
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