"Today, We Are the Main Characters"... Children's Laughter Blooms in Gwangsan District, Gwangju on Children's Day

The 103rd Children's Day Celebration Held
Realizing the Vision of a UNICEF Child-Friendly City

Children's laughter bloomed across the green lawn. This was the scene at the 103rd Children's Day celebration held at Hanam Gyeongam Neighborhood Park in Gwangsan District, Gwangju.

According to Gwangsan District on April 28, about 800 children and their families participated in the event held on April 26, enjoying the spring sunshine and playing freely. True to the slogan "Today, we are the main characters," both the stage and the playground belonged entirely to the children.

At the 103rd Children's Day celebration, Park Byungkyu, mayor of Gwangsan District, is greeting children. Provided by Gwangju Gwangsan District.

Children from local community centers played the djembe, a traditional percussion instrument from North Africa, energizing the atmosphere, and a subsequent dance performance further heightened the excitement. The Children's Rights Charter, read aloud by a child representative, prompted everyone to reflect once again on what children's rights mean. An award ceremony was also held to honor exemplary children.

On one side of the grassy field, various experience booths were set up, including face painting, nail art, and fire and police safety experiences. Children enjoyed decorating their faces with colorful drawings and beautifying their small fingernails. In the "Hanmaeum Sports Festival," they ran, laughed, and cheered together with friends and family as they filled the field with joy.

Park Byungkyu, mayor of Gwangsan District, stated, "A city where children are respected is a healthy city," and added, "I will manage the district by thinking from the children's perspective and listening carefully to their voices."

Meanwhile, in December of last year, Gwangsan District received UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification. With the vision of "Gwangsan where I and every child are happy," the district is implementing policies to promote children's rights, such as operating a children's participation group in district administration, providing children's rights education, and creating play-friendly environments.