"Promoting a Daily Walking Culture"
Ocher Experiences and Barefoot Goods Making, Among Other Activities
Seo-gu District in Gwangju is implementing a variety of walking programs to promote a culture of walking in daily life and to build a resident-led healthy community.
Gwangju Seo-gu held the 2nd Urban Barefoot Festival on the 25th at Geumdangsan Barefoot Road Sections 1 to 3 in Pungam-dong, with barefoot walking community groups and slow jogging teams attending to promote a healthy lifestyle through barefoot walking. Provided by Gwangju Seo-gu
According to Seo-gu District on October 27, the "2nd Urban Barefoot Festival - Walking Together Barefoot for a Hundred Years," held on October 25 in the Geumdangsan area of Pungam-dong, was a flagship event showcasing Seo-gu’s vision as a healthy city. The festival received an enthusiastic response from citizens and concluded successfully.
This year’s festival featured experience-based programs such as barefoot walking, acupressure stick foot massages, ocher experiences, and making barefoot-themed goods. It also included ecological and historical tours, healing walks for families, and challenge and certification events using the mobile app WalkOn, thereby enhancing both the experiential and participatory aspects of the event.
Through the festival, the district also shared the key achievements of its "Barefoot Trail Project," which has been underway for the past three years. To date, a total of 13 kilometers of barefoot trails have been established across 32 living zones, including Sangmu Citizens Park, Geumdangsan, and Nongseong Square. Related ordinances and operational manuals have also been developed, establishing an institutional foundation for Seo-gu as a leading city in barefoot walking.
As a follow-up to sustain the walking enthusiasm generated by the festival, the district is accelerating the training of professional walking instructors. From October 29 to 31, 45 residents will participate in the "3rd Walking Instructor Training Course" at Deulbul Hall in Seo-gu District Office, where they will receive practice-oriented training using gait measurement devices and video analysis. Upon completion, participants will be awarded a Level 2 Walking Instructor certificate.
The training will be conducted by professional instructors from the Trail Walking Academy, focusing on topics such as correct walking posture, the role of instructors, and case studies of walking club operations, with a strong emphasis on practical walking instruction methods that can be applied in daily life.
In the previous first and second sessions, more than 80 walking instructors were certified. These instructors are currently working with residents to spread the culture of walking in various areas, including local walking clubs, senior employment projects, and health programs.
District Mayor Kim Ikang stated, "Walking is the simplest and most effective method of health management and a community activity for connecting with neighbors. We will continue to build a healthy Seo-gu where everyone can walk together by providing professional training and encouraging practical application so that the enjoyment of walking, which began with the festival, becomes a daily habit."
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