A Wealth of Exhibitions, Performances, and Festivals for the '2025 Visit Gwangju Year'
City Ballet Presents 'Divine' Expressing Pain, Resistance, and Hope
Into the Turbulence of 1980... ACC Stages Audience-Participation Play
G-Festa Expands to All Four Seasons, Filled with Fun and Emotion
In celebration of the '2025 Visit Gwangju Year' and the 45th anniversary of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, a variety of exhibitions and performances reflecting the identity of 'May Gwangju' are being held throughout the city.
In particular, 'G-Festa Gwangju,' which last fall was filled with emotion, enjoyment, and culinary delights, is being expanded to cover all four seasons?spring, summer, fall, and winter. As a result, Gwangju in May is expected to heat up as a festival where visitors can enjoy sights, entertainment, and food all at once.
5.18 Democratization Movement 45th Anniversary Special Exhibition 'The Boy Is Coming'. Provided by Gwangju City
The Gwangju City Ballet will present its regular performance 'DIVINE' at the Grand Theater of the Gwangju Culture & Art Center at 7:30 p.m. on May 16 and at 3:00 p.m. on May 17. This contemporary ballet transforms the sacrifices and spirit of the 5.18 Democratization Movement into art, conveying messages of healing, comfort, and solidarity. The work has been recognized for its artistic merit, winning the 'Dance Arts Award for Best Work' and the 'Korea Ballet Association's Work of the Year' in 2023.
This piece delivers its message through pure movement and imagery, without a narrative structure or specific characters. The dancers' nearly anguished gestures and the stage production, which alternates between light and darkness, powerfully convey the pain, resistance, and hope embodied by 'May Gwangju.'
The Asia Culture Center (ACC) will stage the audience-participation play 'I Was Not in Gwangju' from May 15 to 18, set against the backdrop of the 5.18 Democratization Movement. This production goes beyond traditional theater viewing by allowing participants to step into the shoes of the civilian militia and directly experience the situation in Gwangju in May 1980. Through vivid immersion and a strong sense of presence, audiences can feel the spirit of May Gwangju up close. The total running time is about two hours, and the play is open to those aged 13 and older.
The 5.18 Democratization Movement Archives will hold a special exhibition commemorating the 45th anniversary of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, titled 'The Boy Is Coming,' in the third-floor special exhibition hall until October 19. Centered on the acclaimed novel 'The Boy Is Coming' by Nobel laureate Han Kang, the exhibition re-examines the truth and spirit of Gwangju in May 1980 through literature and records. It encourages visitors to reflect on 'the reason the boy came' and 'the meaning of the path he walked,' delivering a profound resonance to those living today.
The Hajungwoong Museum of Art at the Gwangju Museum of Art is holding a special exhibition, 'Dansaekhwa: Infinity and Finitude,' until May 25. Korean Dansaekhwa emphasizes the physicality of the artistic process and expresses an inner, spiritual world that transcends the material realm. This exhibition features 48 paintings and over 30 archival materials from nine leading Dansaekhwa artists (Lee Ufan, Kwon Insik, Park Seobo, Ha Chonghyun, Chung Youngryul, Heo Hwang, Choi Myoungyoung, Yun Hyongkeun, and Chung Sanghwa).
This year, Gwangju City is expanding and operating 'G-Festa Gwangju,' an integrated branding of festivals, performances, sports, exhibitions, and expos. Last year, from September 25 to October 26, the city brought together 17 festivals, events, and MICE activities from 12 organizations under the G-Festa umbrella, confirming Gwangju's potential as a festival city.
This year, in celebration of the '2025 Visit Gwangju Year,' the city plans to continue its festivals throughout the year, rather than limiting them to the fall. In May alone, a variety of festivals will take place, including: ▲May Gwangju, Grand Festival of Democracy (May 17-18) ▲60th Gwangju Citizens' Day (May 24) ▲Mudeung Echo Festival (May 24) ▲Gwangju International Humanities Week (May 13-15) ▲Mudeungsan Humanities Festival (May 31-June 1) ▲2025 Gwangju Food Fair (May 29-June 1) ▲2025 Gwangju Tea & Cafe Show (May 29-June 1) ▲2025 Gwangju Liquor Festa (May 29-June 1). Detailed information about each event can be found on the Gwangju Tourism website or the Gwangju Culture and Arts Integrated Platform.
A variety of programs are also being offered where visitors can experience Gwangju's unique sensibility and culture. At the Im-dong Digital Creative Studio, digital equipment training and hands-on programs such as making household items and baseball merchandise using advanced equipment like 3D printers and UV printers are available year-round. Applications can be submitted via the Im-dong Digital Creative Studio website.
The Gwangju City Arboretum is offering ongoing environmental and ecological programs. Participation is available through on-site registration or by phone, with programs focused on ecological education and nature experiences.
At Gwangju Kimchi Town, which offers experiences of traditional food culture, a kimchi-making program using seasonal ingredients is held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Under the guidance of experts, the program is open to groups of at least 15 participants, and the participation fee is within 15,000 won. Applications can be made through the 'Baro Reservation' section of the Gwangju City website.
At Uchi Zoo, the 'A Walk Around the Zoo with an Animal Ecology Guide' program is available for children and family visitors. This program, which combines educational elements with an engaging introduction to animals, is especially popular among young visitors. Participation applications can be submitted through the city website.
Lee Seungkyu, Director of the New Vitality Promotion Headquarters, said, "In line with the Visit Gwangju Year and the 45th anniversary of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, the entire city of Gwangju is being transformed into a stage of inspiration where democracy and culture coexist, just as our slogan says, 'Gwangju Has Come, Democracy Is Coming.' We will continue to expand our programs so that both citizens and tourists can experience the charm of Gwangju throughout the four seasons via the abundant G-Festa."
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