"All 18 Seo-gu Village Choirs in Gwangju to Perform on One Stage"

3rd Village Choir Festival to Be Held on the 24th

Seo-gu District in Gwangju Metropolitan City will hold the 3rd Seo-gu Village Choir Festival at Seobitmaru Arts Center on January 24.

Seo-gu became the first district in the nation in 2023 to form and operate village choirs in all 18 neighborhoods through voluntary participation by residents. This initiative has drawn attention as a community cultural model that fosters communication and exchange among residents through music. The village choirs participate in various local festivals and events, sharing their talents and spreading positive influence throughout the community.

This year marks the third edition of the Village Choir Festival, held under the theme "The Best Moment of My Life, The Reason We Sing," with more than 500 members from the 18 neighborhood choirs participating.

The performances will be divided into four categories, each telling the stories of the villages through song: ▲ "Singing Brings Happiness" (Nongseong 2-dong, Hwajeong 1-dong, Seochang-dong, Geumho 1-dong) ▲ "Together Brings Happiness" (Yang-dong, Nongseong 1-dong, Hwajeong 4-dong, Dongcheon-dong) ▲ "Sharing Brings Happiness" (Geumho 2-dong, Yang 3-dong, Gwangcheon-dong, Sangmu 2-dong, Chipyeong-dong) ▲ "United Brings Happiness" (Yudeok-dong, Sangmu 1-dong, Hwajeong 2-dong, Hwajeong 3-dong, Pungam-dong).

Residents from various walks of life, including homemakers, office workers, academy directors, and small business owners, will come together on stage to deliver a unified harmony, once again reflecting on the meaning of the village community and the value of solidarity among residents.

One choir member shared, "It was difficult for me to participate in outside activities due to depression, but joining the choir has helped me improve my relationships and regain vitality in my daily life. Singing has become a great source of strength in my life."

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, stated, "The voices of each resident are coming together to create the power that unites the village. We will continue to support village choir activities so that every neighborhood can enjoy a rich cultural life filled with music and melody."