Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Liberation
Cultivating Gardens with Mugunghwa as a Symbol of Local Identity
Sangju City in North Gyeongsang Province has launched the "Mugunghwa Awareness Project" in earnest to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation, focusing on the theme of the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon). The project links garden management, citizen education, and exhibitions, aiming to strengthen local identity and promote green culture.
This project was organized to reflect on the history and significance of the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower, and to establish a culture of green practices with active citizen participation.
On July 1, the city held a citizen-participation "Mugunghwa Awareness Garden Management Activity" at the Mugunghwa Rain Garden near City Hall. During the event, citizens had the meaningful opportunity to directly plant and care for Mugunghwa, thereby improving the urban landscape and expanding the foundation for the flower’s growth.
Alongside this, programs highlighting the symbolic and landscaping value of Mugunghwa were also conducted, receiving a positive response from citizens.
On July 16, the first citizen education session was held at the Gangcheon Island Mugunghwa Garden. The education program covered the history of Mugunghwa, its ecological characteristics, and landscaping applications, combining both theoretical and practical components.
In particular, participants had the opportunity to observe the growth process and various varieties of Mugunghwa firsthand, rediscovering the value of Korea’s national flower.
Sangju City will hold a Mugunghwa exhibition from August 8, "Mugunghwa Day," through the end of August, coinciding with the Mugunghwa blooming season. The exhibition, organized in the form of a Mugunghwa garden at the Gangcheon Island Mugunghwa Garden, is expected to offer citizens a rich visual experience.
Through these efforts, the city plans to reframe Mugunghwa not just as an ornamental plant, but as a symbol embodying the region’s history and identity.
A Sangju City official stated, "To mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation, we organized this program to increase citizens’ affection for our national flower, Mugunghwa, and to spread green culture throughout the city," adding, "We will continue to expand green practices in daily life together with citizens."
The city plans to use this project as an opportunity to develop Mugunghwa into a leading green cultural content for the region, and to continuously promote various programs that foster a participatory garden culture and strengthen community spirit among citizens.
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