Danish Youth Learn the Value of Democracy in Gwangju

35 Teachers and Students Embark on a Four-Day "Study Trip"
Mayor Kang Gijung Introduces Gwangju as the City of May 18 and Nobel Prizes

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is taking a commemorative photo with teachers and students from Silkeborg Citizen School in Denmark who visited Gwangju at the Gwangju Youth Life Design Center in Dong-gu on the afternoon of the 16th. Photo by Gwangju City

Danish youths visited historical sites of the May 18 Democratization Movement featured in author Han Kang's novel "The Boy Is Coming," taking time to learn about Gwangju's democratic history and the values of community and inclusiveness.

The city of Gwangju announced on the 16th that 35 teachers and students from Silkeborg Citizens' School in Denmark visited Gwangju for four days from the 14th to the 17th as part of a "study trip," spending meaningful time learning about the history of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the spirit of democracy.

In celebration of "2025 Visit Gwangju Year," they explored "The Boy's Path" (subtitled: Walking Through the Boy's Time), focusing on the historical sites of the May 18 Democratization Movement featured in Han Kang's novel "The Boy Is Coming," which Gwangju Tourism Organization plans to launch as a travel package.

Accompanied by a professional English guide, they learned about Gwangju's historical significance and enjoyed the local cuisine and scenery by visiting Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park and Pyeongchon Village on Mudeungsan Mountain.

On the third day of the visit, the 16th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung attended a "youth exchange event" where Danish and Gwangju youths gathered. At the event, Mayor Kang personally welcomed the Danish "May Friends" who visited Gwangju again this year, introduced the city as a Nobel Prize city linked to the May 18 Democratization Movement, former President Kim Dae-jung, and author Han Kang.

Mayor Kang said, "When we call the time and place where human cruelty and dignity coexisted in their most extreme forms 'Gwangju,' as Han Kang said, Gwangju becomes a common noun. The Gwangju of 1980 saved today's Korea, the past helps the present, and the dead save the living in this historical site." He added, "In celebration of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature and the upcoming '2025 Visit Gwangju Year,' I hope you will vividly experience Gwangju as a common noun and the May 18 Democratization Movement through 'The Boy's Path,' which will be launched soon."

Mayor Kang presented Han Kang's book to the Danish youths as a gift, so they could remember and cherish Gwangju for a long time.

Student Sara Della Skov said, "I am returning home with great memories and lessons about Gwangju, a city of democratization that fought for democracy and human rights, and a Nobel Prize city for the Nobel Peace Prize and Nobel Literature Prize. I am happy to have had this valuable learning opportunity."

Meanwhile, Silkeborg Citizens' School is one of Denmark's innovative educational institutions, focusing on personal development, creativity, and social skills rather than traditional degree programs or test-based education. It is known for its progressive educational philosophy that values students' curiosity and interests over curricula or syllabi. After visiting Gwangju, the Silkeborg study group will visit Seoul and the Paju DMZ before returning to Denmark on the 20th.