Great Figure Who Established Children's Day... Chuncheon 'Cha Sangchan Culture Week' Held

Established Together with Bang Jeonghwan...
Children's Parade, Memorial Ceremony, and Cha Sangchan Story Trail
to Be Held at Gongjicheon Sculpture Park and More from May 1 to 16

Chuncheon City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor: Yuk Donghan), announced on April 30 that the 'Cha Sangchan Culture Week,' held in honor of Cha Sangchan, who, together with Bang Jeonghwan, established Children's Day on May 1, 1922, will take place from May 1 to 16 at the Gongjicheon Sculpture Park area in Chuncheon.

Photo by Chuncheon City Hall

Cha Sangchan was a great thinker, journalist, and an enlightened pioneer born in Chuncheon.

This event, hosted by the Cha Sangchan Memorial Association and supported by Gangwon Province and Chuncheon City, consists of four main programs: a children's parade, a memorial ceremony, the 'Cha Sangchan Story Trail' walk, and an exhibition on the children's movement.

On May 1, a children's parade under the theme "Chuncheon Where Children Are Happy" will be held in front of the Cha Sangchan statue at Gongjicheon Sculpture Park and at the Youth Pureum Rest Area near Uiam Park.

This event aims to recall the historical significance of Bang Jeonghwan and Cha Sangchan establishing Children's Day on May 1, 1922, and will reenact the children's parade of that time.

On May 7, a memorial ceremony honoring the life and philosophy of Cha Sangchan will take place. The program includes a brief biography, a moment of silence, a flower offering, memorial speeches, a book donation, and readings of commemorative writings. On the same day, starting at 3 p.m., an exhibition titled "The Children's Movement Under Japanese Rule as Seen Through Children's Magazine Covers" will open in the Chuncheon City Hall lobby and continue until May 16.

On May 11, the 'Cha Sangchan Story Trail' walk will take place, covering a 7-kilometer course that starts in front of the Cha Sangchan statue and passes through Bonghwangdaegil, Gangchang-gol-gil, and Seondolgogaegil.

Participants will listen to stories and anecdotes related to Cha Sangchan throughout the walk, reflecting on their significance.

A Chuncheon City official stated, "This will be a meaningful occasion to remember, together with citizens, the ideals of Cha Sangchan, who emphasized the rights and dignity of children by establishing Children's Day, and to strive for a society where children are respected."