Donggu District in Gwangju announced on May 27 that it will host the "3rd Donggu Mudeungsan Humanities Festival, Humanities For:rest" over two days on May 31 and June 1 at the Jeungsimsa area of Mudeungsan.
This year marks the third edition of the "Donggu Mudeungsan Humanities Festival," with the slogan "Towards the Blossoming Side, With Hope." The festival will feature a wide array of programs encompassing culture, arts, and ecology.
The opening performance, the May play "Oh! Geumnam Restaurant," will take place on the main stage on the morning of May 31. The play tells the story of Gwangju residents who became united over rice balls in May 1980.
The Mudeungsan Hinoki Forest program, which was the most popular event last year, returns this year with even more diverse offerings for visitors. The "Forest Picnic" Hinoki Book-cation provides participants with time to cultivate the power of reflection through reading and rest, lending out rattan baskets containing books, writing utensils, and mats.
There will also be a biodiversity exploration program where experts and citizens search for species in the Hinoki forest together. The "Humanities Talk" sessions will invite writers such as Kim Tak-hwan, Lee Geum-yi, Choi Hyang-rang, and Choi Byung-soo to discuss their books and works.
This year, the festival features an enhanced arts program, including a special exhibition by author Han Kang and a Korea-Japan exchange literary tour themed on "The Boy Is Coming." Visitors can experience a mobile installation of Han Kang's sentences and participate in discussions with Japanese readers about "The Boy Is Coming," the 5·18 Democratization Movement, and Gwangju. There will also be an exhibition of Hangeul letter sculptures by installation artist Choi Byung-soo.
The festival will conclude with the closing performance, "Upcycle Music," offering a chance to reflect on the climate and environment through music played on recycled instruments.
Other events include the "Green Coexistence Outdoor Gallery" with local artists, "Forest Busking" featuring citizen musicians, the "Drawing Mudeung" sketch contest in collaboration with the Uijae Museum of Korean Art, the nostalgic treasure hunt "Find the Endangered Animals," and an experiential mission tour called "Humanities Endurance Game."
Prior to the main festival, a pre-event hike titled "Da Watsiya" and an unplugged humanities concert were held at Jangbuljae in Mudeungsan on May 24, receiving an enthusiastic response from citizens. Further details can be found on the official website of the "Donggu Mudeungsan Humanities Festival."
Lim Taek, Mayor of Donggu District, stated, "The 'Donggu Mudeungsan Humanities Festival' offers a time for contemplation in the forest and will provide a unique experience distinct from other regional festivals. We hope for the active interest and participation of our residents in this third edition of the festival."
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