Seo-gu, Gwangju Successfully Concludes 10th Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival

Soundscape, LP Silver Grass Lounge, and Spacing Out Contest Draw Popularity

The 10th Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival, held by Seo-gu, Gwangju from October 16 to 19 along the Yeongsan River (between Geukrak Bridge and Seochang Bridge) and in the Nanumnuri Forest area, concluded successfully.

Seogu District held the 10th Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival from the 16th to the 19th along the Yeongsan River, under the theme "A Journey to Autumn Delivered by Silver Eulalia," offering visitors a time of rest, relaxation, and healing. Provided by Seogu District, Gwangju

According to the district office on October 20, this year's festival gained attention for its emotionally engaging content that allowed participants to experience the essence of autumn with all five senses, providing a break from the digital-centric daily routine. The event has established itself as Gwangju's signature natural landscape festival and a healing festival within the city.

In particular, the newly introduced "Soundscape" program was a hit, enabling participants to enjoy an immersive walk while listening in real time to the sounds of nature-such as wind, grasshoppers, and the rustling of silver grass-through professional equipment.

The "LP Silver Grass Lounge," an analog music space set in the middle of the silver grass field, offered citizens a chance to enjoy nostalgic old music and provided a moment of emotional relaxation.

On the festival's final day, the "Spacing Out Contest" drew 70 participants who challenged themselves to "do nothing" for 90 minutes. After fierce but silent competition in the silver grass field, Kim Haneulnuri and Yoon Hyean emerged as winners, while comedian Lee Sangjun took second place, drawing attention.

This year's festival focused on a walking course connecting Nanumnuri Forest and Seochang Sensibility Observatory, attracting the largest crowds during sunset. On social media, the festival became known as a "sunset hotspot" where visitors could enjoy both the silver grass and the sunset at a glance, making it a popular autumn picnic destination where citizens brought mats and lunchboxes.

The district operated a free shuttle bus 20 times a day between Gwangju Outlet and Kimdaejung Convention Center and the festival venue, minimizing traffic congestion and significantly improving accessibility for citizens.

One citizen commented, "Unlike noisy festivals, the quiet silver grass festival offers a unique charm by allowing you to feel nature. I hope it continues to develop as a healing festival that soothes the body and mind weary from everyday life."

Another citizen shared, "I visit the festival every year with my children because it allows us to experience nature as it is, without artificial elements. I hope there will be even more nature-oriented programs in the future."

Based on ten years of experience and achievements, the district plans to further specialize the Seochang Silver Grass Festival as an urban nature-ecology festival model. The aim is to present a "nature-as-it-is festival" that values slowness over speed and relaxation over convenience, with features such as a car-free festival and a festival ideal for walking.

Kim Ikang, head of Seo-gu District Office, stated, "This year's silver grass festival filled citizens' hearts with the content of nature. Moving forward, we will develop it into a festival that coexists with nature and nurture it into Korea's leading healing festival."