Gwangju Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Citizens on the 24th

60th Anniversary of Citizens' Day Around City Hall
A Variety of Events Including Performances, Water Play, Commemorative Ceremony, and Cultural Shows
Remembering the 'Gwangju Spirit' Through Rice Ball Sharing and More

Poster for the 60th Gwangju Citizens' Day. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju City is inviting citizens to celebrate its 60th anniversary. On May 20, Gwangju City announced that it will hold a large-scale festival on May 24 around City Hall to mark the 60th anniversary of 'Gwangju Citizens' Day,' with citizens coming together to create and enjoy the festivities.

This year's 'Citizens' Day' is themed 'Gwangju Manse,' celebrating Gwangju's 60th birthday with a variety of events. The festival will be a comprehensive event featuring a commemorative ceremony, cultural performances, citizen participation stages, policy exhibitions, and hands-on activities, allowing families to enjoy a full day together.

May 21, the date of 'Gwangju Citizens' Day,' commemorates the day in May 1980 when martial law troops withdrew in response to citizens' resistance. In remembrance, the city changed the date of Citizens' Day from November 1 to May 21 in 2010, and this year, the event will be held on May 24, a weekend, to allow more citizens to participate.

The commemorative ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. that day on the main stage of the outdoor music hall at City Hall. The event will begin with a marching band parade, followed by a 60-year retrospective video of Gwangju Citizens' Day, a commemorative speech by the mayor, congratulatory remarks from guests, the 2025 Citizen Award ceremony, the presentation of the first ticket to the Design Biennale, and a rice ball sharing performance.

This year's Gwangju Citizen Award was given to Heo Jung, director of Eden Hospital, in recognition of his contributions to the community in the fields of medical care, social service, talent development, and cultural history. In addition, video congratulatory messages sent from sister cities in Japan, the United States, and Indonesia will be screened during the ceremony.

In particular, the 'Rice Ball Sharing Performance' will be a symbolic event in which citizens and guests make and share rice balls together, reaffirming the spirit of 'solidarity and sharing' in Gwangju.

Before the ceremony, from 11:30 a.m., a cultural performance for citizens of all generations will be held on the main stage. The program will include the 'Suyeonrye,' a traditional birthday celebration for about 10 citizens born in 1966 who are celebrating their 60th birthday this year; 'Songs of Gwangju,' featuring 1970s and 1980s retro music and stories of Gwangju; a Taekwondo musical by Chosun University; the Policy Golden Bell quiz; and the Dream Orchestra, among various other programs.

Commemorative photo from the '59th Gwangju Citizens' Day' ceremony held last year. Provided by Gwangju City

The road in front of City Hall will be turned into a 'car-free street,' and the popular Water World attraction from last year will return. This area, designed for children to enjoy water play, is expected to be especially popular with families during Family Month.

The lawn plaza in front of City Hall will be transformed into 'Picnic in Gwangju,' an open civic space for urban picnics. Starting at 7 p.m., the finals of 'Sing Together Gwangju Season 2' will feature 20 teams representing the five districts of Gwangju. This stage, open to all ages, will showcase talented citizens selected through district preliminaries, and a celebratory performance by guest singer Kim Yeonja will add to the festive atmosphere.

The 'Policy Evaluation Expo,' where citizens can directly experience and evaluate Gwangju City's policies, will also be held that day in the Citizen Hall on the first floor of City Hall. Thirty-one major policies in five areas currently being promoted by Gwangju City will be exhibited, with on-site voting and citizen feedback collected.

Of particular note among the associated events is the '2025 Gwangju Promotional Character Contest,' to be held in the Garden of Light. The event will feature a performance in which Gwangju's representative character, Bitdori, holds a wedding ceremony, with 31 characters invited from across the country participating as guests in a unique ceremony.

Other programs will include events commemorating World Day for Cultural Diversity and World Citizens' Day, a citizen safety experience event, promotional booths, and a flea market, ensuring a rich festival for all generations to enjoy together.

Mayor Kang Gijung stated, "The 60th anniversary of Gwangju Citizens' Day is the history that we have all built together, and it marks the starting point for dreaming of the next 60 years together. I hope this festival will be a special day where every citizen becomes the main character and shares the joy of the plaza," inviting all citizens to participate.