Over 250,000 Visitors in Ten Days
A Diverse Array of Day and Night Programs
"Rose Cinema" Nighttime Screenings Receive Enthusiastic Response
Local Organizations Stand Out in Supporting the "Successful Festival"
Emerging as a "Comprehensive Tourist Destination" with Various Attractions
On May 26, Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae), announced that the 15th Gokseong World Rose Festival, held at the Gokseong Seomjingang Train Village, concluded successfully on May 25, with a total of approximately 250,000 visitors over the ten-day event.
This year’s festival, held from May 16 to 25 under the theme "A Day Colored by Roses, All Day Rose," featured a significantly expanded lineup of nighttime lighting and performances, offering a variety of programs throughout both day and night. Unlike previous years, the cool and clear weather, along with the roses that blossomed more fully as the festival progressed, attracted many tourists and greatly enhanced the festive atmosphere.
The opening parade, which involved local art groups and residents, and the “Gokseong Pungnyu” event, featuring 45 arts clubs, allowed over 1,000 local residents to showcase their talents, demonstrating their pride in the Rose Festival.
The county also introduced the Rosi Friends pop-up store, developed after winning a Korea Tourism Organization contest last year, providing many visitors with an opportunity to become familiar with Rosi Friends. Inside the Rose Park, a “Find Rosi Friends” event offered visitors the chance to create memories by taking four-cut photo booth pictures.
This year, instead of leaving the central plaza stage empty after evening performances, the county operated the Rose Cinema from 6 to 8 p.m. The classic film “Roman Holiday,” which pairs well with roses, was screened in an outdoor cinema setting, welcoming guests with a large screen and high-quality sound.
A festival official said, “We came up with the Rose Cinema idea while considering this year’s nighttime programs and lighting. The atmosphere turned out to be even better than expected, and it was heartwarming to see so many couples and partners enjoying the screenings. We hope to bring even better films to the Rose Festival in the future.”
Following the conclusion of the Rose Festival, the Rose Park at Seomjingang Train Village is now in full bloom, with billions of fresh roses on display. Even after the festival, visitors are expected to continue enjoying the scent and beauty of the roses.
Tourists who visited the festival commented, “It would be a shame to see it only once, so I will definitely come early next week in the morning to see the dew-covered roses. I have not missed the Gokseong World Rose Festival in any year, and this year there were truly many changes at the venue. The brass band busking and the quality of the central stage video made it feel like being at a concert hall.”
Support from local community organizations was also notable in ensuring the festival’s success. Despite the busy farming season, the Gokseong Saemaeul Association helped with trash collection and recycling at the festival site, and the Gokseong Junior Chamber operated a booth promoting the Hometown Love Donation Program, contributing to the development of the local festival.
Additionally, the Life Improvement Association not only participated in the opening parade performance but also supported the festival by operating experience booths. The Gokseong Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Gokseong Volunteer Center also participated daily.
To ensure the safety of visitors, the county conducted a pre-festival safety inspection in cooperation with relevant agencies under the supervision of South Jeolla Province. During the festival, daily safety meetings were held every morning at the on-site situation room, with police, fire officials, event organizers, and private safety personnel checking for any shortcomings.
Meanwhile, Gokseong Seomjingang Train Village is not only home to the Rose Park but also features attractions such as an ecology center, Dreamland, and a steam locomotive, establishing itself as a comprehensive tourist destination and the only place in Korea where visitors can view 1,004 varieties of roses from around the world at a glance.
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