Suncheon City (Mayor Noh Kwan-gyu) announced that the 2024 Suncheon World Heritage Festival, which was held from October 1 to 31 at Ocheon Green Square, Seonamsa Temple, and Suncheon Tidal Flat, was a success with 300,000 visitors.
This Suncheon World Heritage Festival presented Ocheon Green Square as a space for enjoying World Heritage, allowing citizens to easily access and enjoy the value of World Heritage in addition to cultural enjoyment. In addition, it has become a turning point in developing heritage that has been recognized simply as a tourist attraction such as Seonamsa Temple and Suncheon Bay Wetland into a heritage that people around the world can discover and share together.
The biggest issue of this festival was the commemoration ceremony. The commemorative ceremony was held at Ocheon Green Square, connecting the meaning of Suncheon’s two heritages to people. The World Heritage Seonamsa Temple and Suncheon Tidal Flats were held at the commemoration ceremony not only for their inherent value but also for their significance as a healing heritage that comforts the bodies and minds of tired modern people.
The start of the festival was to walk the Ramsar Trail with about 500 citizens as a celebration of citizens visiting first. In addition, a nighttime moonlight tour and an early morning tour of Mujin were conducted centered on the Suncheon tidal flat, and the perspective on Seonamsa Temple was broadened through a hermitage tour at Seonamsa Temple.
As another new attempt, a camping program that involves spending a night in the World Heritage Suncheon Tidal Flat has become popular with many participants. At Suncheon Bay Wetland, where access was restricted outside of viewing hours, participants gazed at the stars, listened to the sound of reeds, meditated, and waited for sunrise at dawn while looking at the clouds between Mujingyo Bridge and the reed fields.
For most of the performance, experience, and exhibition programs, local organizations participated through citizen contests to plan programs expressing world heritage and introduce them to citizens and visitors on site. The effort to reinterpret Suncheon’s heritage through the eyes of an artist and understand it from the perspective of citizens served as an opportunity for participants to easily understand it.
What particularly stood out in this event was the active participation of the family unit. Interesting programs that children can enjoy, such as making a World Heritage paper house, World Heritage storytelling magic, picture book classics, and a heritage playground, received such a great response that pre-registration closed early and inquiries about participation continued on site.
In addition, in order to maintain the value of World Heritage, the World Heritage Forum was held on the 25th to provide an opportunity to share development plans and cases from heritage of value that must be preserved after World Heritage registration to an object of enjoyment and utilization. Efforts were also made to develop it into a festival made directly by residents who protect the heritage. The Suncheon Bay Big Fish Festival and the Tteobae Olympics, in which the fishing community living in the Suncheon tidal flats participated, became a venue for empathizing with and harmonizing the conservation value of heritage.
Meanwhile, in order to revitalize the local economy, gift certificates were issued that those who completed the World Heritage tour could use directly at the site of the heritage site, raising awareness that the World Heritage Festival was not just a festival for us, but a festival that coexisted with local residents.
Suncheon Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu said, “I am grateful to the citizens who participated in this year’s diverse World Heritage Festival and made precious memories together.” He added, “We will do our best to ensure that you can fully experience the value of World Heritage and the value of Suncheon in 2025.” revealed.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Suncheon City
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Heritage Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the recent 2024 Suncheon World Heritage Festival, which drew an impressive 300,000 visitors this October. I’m joined by Dr. Emily Kim, an expert in cultural heritage and sustainable tourism. Emily, thank you for being here!
Dr. Kim: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an inspiring event.
Editor: The festival garnered substantial attention this year. Can you tell us about the significance of hosting such a large-scale event in Suncheon?
Dr. Kim: Absolutely! Hosting the Suncheon World Heritage Festival not only celebrates the city’s recognized heritages, like the Seonamsa Temple and Suncheon Tidal Flat, but also enhances community engagement. Events like these help highlight the cultural and historical importance of these sites, making them accessible to residents and tourists alike.
Editor: One of the festival’s highlights was its focus on turning heritage into a shared experience. How does that shift in perspective impact local communities?
Dr. Kim: That shift is crucial! By emphasizing the idea of heritage as something to be discovered and shared, rather than just observed, it fosters a sense of ownership among residents. This means that the heritage is not just a tourist attraction; it’s part of their identity and history. Programs were tailored to allow citizens to explore and reinterpret their own heritage, making it an enriching experience for everyone involved.
Editor: The festival initiated various activities, including healing ceremonies and moonlight tours. How do such activities contribute to the overall experience of the participants?
Dr. Kim: These activities are essential as they appeal to the emotional and sensory experiences of visitors. The healing ceremonies referenced the modern need for respite from daily stress, integrating the natural beauty of Suncheon into wellness practices. The moonlight tours offer a unique way to engage with the environment, enhancing visitors’ appreciation for both the heritage and the natural scenery.
Editor: I also found it fascinating that the festival included a camping program in the Suncheon Tidal Flat. What do you think this reveals about the future of heritage conservation and community involvement?
Dr. Kim: The camping program is a brilliant example of innovative heritage interpretation. By allowing people to immerse themselves in the environment overnight, it creates a deeper connection to the heritage site. This kind of engagement can inspire both conservation efforts and responsible tourism, as participants develop a personal bond with the location. It’s about experiencing heritage in a way that is impactful and memorable.
Editor: The festival also involved local organizations in planning programs. Why is local participation so vital in events like these?
Dr. Kim: Local participation is key because it ensures that the representation of heritage is authentic and thoughtful. When local organizations and citizens have a hand in designing programs, it allows for a diverse interpretation of what heritage means to different people. Such involvement not only enriches the festival but cultivates a sense of pride and stewardship in the community.
Editor: Lastly, can you share your thoughts on the festival’s impact on younger generations?
Dr. Kim: Engaging children through fun activities, like making a World Heritage paper house or storytelling, can spark their interest in heritage from an early age. It encourages them to appreciate their cultural roots and the natural environment, which can foster a lifelong commitment to heritage and conservation. By planting these seeds of curiosity and respect, we build a future generation that values and nurtures their cultural landscape.
Editor: Emily, thank you for sharing your insights on the Suncheon World Heritage Festival. Your expertise highlights the incredible potential of community-driven heritage events to inspire and educate.
Dr. Kim: Thank you! It’s exciting to see how festivals like this can reshape our understanding and appreciation of heritage.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more discussions on heritage, culture, and the events that shape our world!