Eve Festival Events with Citizens Across the City
May Tent Village, Rice Ball Sharing, Bread Sale, and More
Mayor Kang Gijung Invites "May Friends," the Democratic Citizens
'May Gwangju' warmly welcomes democratic citizens from Korea and around the world. During the periods of martial law and impeachment, torches transformed into cheering sticks, and rice balls evolved into prepaid meals. The so-called "cheering stick generation" of young people in their 20s and 30s has made a significant appearance, and those who defend democracy say, "The past has come running into the present, and the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980 saved today's Korea."
The city of Gwangju will hold the '45th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration' as the most vibrant 'May Democracy Grand Festival' ever. This is a special welcome for those who have visited and supported Gwangju since 1980.
On May 11, the city of Gwangju announced that, in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, it has prepared 145 diverse events. These include free public transportation throughout the city on May 17 and 18, the May Eve Festival 'May Tent Village,' the 'Boy's Path' tour, free rice ball sharing, a bread-sharing sale involving 49 bakeries, the World Human Rights Cities Forum, and more.
This year's May 18 commemorative event is held under the slogan, "Ah May, The May We Meet Again." The event aims to create a 'Democracy Grand Festival' that opens a new world for democratic citizens who dream of a new democracy. It highlights the meaning of May 18 and the Gwangju spirit, which have been revisited during the periods of martial law and impeachment, and the power of solidarity that has evolved from torches to cheering sticks and from rice balls to prepaid meals, all connecting people through 'encounters.'
First, at 10:30 a.m. on May 17, a memorial ceremony for the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising will be held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, attended by Mayor Kang Gijung, May 18 merit awardees and their families, and citizens.
The 'Citizen Festival,' which embodies the spirit of the communal society of citizens' autonomy in 1980, will take place from 11:00 a.m. on May 17 at the May 18 Democracy Plaza, Geumnam-ro 1st to 3rd Street (car-free zone), and the Jungang-ro area in Dong-gu. The festival will feature citizen participation street booths, the May Theater Festival, the Democracy Grand Chorus, and a democracy art exhibition.
The 'May Theater Festival' will be held on the 9th floor multipurpose auditorium of Jeonil Building 245 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 17, showcasing performances by Gwangju's leading theater troupes that have shared the story of May 18. Performances include "Someday in Spring" by Nori Pae Sinmyeong, "Oh! Geumnam Restaurant" by Theater Tobaegi, "Mangdae" by Theater Kkakji, and "Me, My Mother, and Mangwol" by Pureun Theater Village.
The 'Democracy Grand Chorus,' which stands in solidarity with the pain of victims of state violence and disaster tragedies, will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 17 at the special stage in May 18 Democracy Plaza. Participating choirs include the Park Jongcheol Choir from Busan, the 4·16 Choir from Ansan, the Lee Sosun Choir and the 6·15 Choir from Seoul, and the 1987 Choir, Heungsadan Wild Goose Choir, and Pureunsol Choir from Gwangju.
From 4:00 p.m., citizens from all walks of life will participate in the 'Democratic Peace March,' which reenacts the National Democratic Rally torch marches held on Geumnam-ro from May 14 to 16, 1980. This year, groups will start from five locations (Gwangju High School, Bukdong Cathedral, Chonnam National University, Chosun University, and Gwangju Station), each preparing banners, placards, and flags, and will gather at Geumnam-ro, where the eve festival will take place.
At 5:00 p.m., the highlight of the May 18 commemoration, the 'Eve Festival,' will officially begin. A stage will be set up at the intersection of Geumnam-ro 4-ga Station. This year's eve festival will bring together the aspirations of democratic citizens from across the country who visit May Gwangju, and will feature a variety of performances as a democracy grand festival welcoming a new world.
In particular, this year, as part of the special experience programs for May Gwangju, free use of Gwangju's public transportation (city buses, urban rail, and vehicles for people with mobility challenges) will be expanded for two days on May 17 and 18. On May 17, the 'May Tent Village' will be set up at Jungang Elementary School, the 'Boy's Path' will be created, and rice ball sharing and bread discount events will be held. These programs are designed so that not only Gwangju citizens but also visitors to Gwangju can experience the spirit of solidarity and sharing of May 18 in their daily lives.
At 10:00 a.m. on May 18, the official May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration Ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, will be held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. At 5:00 p.m., the 'Democracy Bell Ringing Ceremony' will take place at May 18 Democracy Plaza, followed by the '2025 Gwangju Human Rights Award Ceremony' at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Kang Gijung said, "Many say that Gwangju in 1980 saved today's Korea, but Gwangju knows that it was thanks to the many who reached out to the isolated city in May 1980 that it could bloom as a symbol of Korean democracy. That is why the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, marking a new path toward realizing a new democracy beyond martial law and impeachment, is more special than ever," adding, "We have prepared so that everyone can fully experience the spirit of democracy, human rights, and peace in Gwangju by walking, riding, and eating, and we look forward to welcoming our May friends to Gwangju."
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