Declining Rural Villages? Yeongdeok Public Health Center Boosts Residents' Health and Vitality with the "Traveling Village Theater"

Bold "Cultural Vaccine" Strategy

In an era when mental pain has become a bigger issue than physical pain, the Yeongdeok County Public Health Center is bringing a bold "cultural vaccine" to local villages.

The Yeongdeok County Public Health Center and the Byeonggok-myeon Health Committee are operating the "Traveling Village Theater" as part of the Healthy Village Project in Byeonggok-myeon, aiming to improve residents' emotional well-being and restore the community.

The Traveling Village Theater is an on-site cultural service project that delivers high-quality content to residents in areas with limited cultural access and few opportunities to enjoy performances or movies. The program is a collaboration between the Yeongdeok County Public Health Center and the Byeonggok-myeon Health Committee, and is organized by the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation.

In particular, even those not directly involved in the Healthy Village Project can easily apply for the program in their own villages, allowing any resident to enjoy cultural activities. This approach is designed to bridge regional gaps and provide more residents with opportunities to experience both health and culture.

The Yejujumma Nanta performance is being held as part of the Traveling Village Theater program. Provided by Yeongdeok County

The program features performances by local lifestyle and cultural clubs, such as Haepalang Gogo Janggu, Dure Folk Songs, and Yejujumma Nanta, all offered as volunteer talent contributions. These performances create a stage for community togetherness, followed by screenings of carefully selected films by the organizers.

The project began on June 10 in Yeong 4-ri, Byeonggok-myeon, and will continue this year in a total of 22 villages, including Wonhwang 1-ri on November 11, Gakri 2-ri on November 18, and Yeong 1-ri on November 20.

Oh Donggyu, Head of the Health Promotion Division, stated, "The Traveling Village Theater is becoming a meaningful program that not only expands access to cultural experiences but also helps protect the mental health of residents. We will continue to work with the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation and the Byeonggok-myeon Health Committee to promote the Healthy Village Project, encouraging direct resident participation and joint community creation."