Gwangju Seo-gu Seochang Reed Festival Wins Korea Festival Content Grand Prize for Four Consecutive Years

Urban Festival’s Strength Recognized
Praised for Tourism and Economic Impact
Generates 1.85 Billion KRW in Economic Benefits

The Seochang Reed Festival in Seo-gu, Gwangju has won the Grand Prize at the Korea Festival Content Awards for four consecutive years. Provided by Seo-gu Office, Gwangju

The Seochang Reed Festival, the signature festival of Seo-gu in Gwangju Metropolitan City, has been awarded the Grand Prize in the Festival Tourism Ecology category at the 14th Korea Festival Content Awards, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving this honor.

The Korea Festival Content Awards is a prestigious ceremony organized by the Korea Festival Content Association. It recognizes outstanding festivals that have contributed to tourism revitalization and regional economic development by utilizing local resources. The selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation of festival management performance, content differentiation, visitor satisfaction, and eco-friendly operations.

Last October, Seo-gu hosted the 10th Gwangju Seochang Reed Festival under the theme "A Journey into Autumn Delivered by Silver Reeds."

During the four-day festival, approximately 100,000 people visited, and the event is estimated to have generated an economic impact of about 1.85 billion KRW.

Notably, the Seochang Reed Festival established itself as a unique urban healing festival by offering emotional content such as "Soundscape," a nature sound experience using headphones, an LP reed lounge, and a zoning-out contest. Additionally, 20 million KRW worth of healing coupons were issued, encouraging use at 115 affiliated local businesses and thereby promoting local consumption.

The festival was also highlighted as a model for eco-friendly event management through the use of reusable containers, operation of free shuttle buses, and encouragement of public transportation.

Lee Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, stated, "Winning the Grand Prize for four consecutive years is a valuable achievement accomplished together by citizens, the local community, and festival stakeholders." He added, "We will continue to preserve the ecological value of the Yeongsan River and further develop the festival into a globally competitive ecological event."