“Changwon-Tongyeong: A Spring Bloom of Flowers and Music”

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Minister YU In Chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) visited the "Changwon-Tongyeong: A Spring Bloom of Flowers and Music" sites on March 28 (Thur) and 29 (Fri) as part of the fourth installment of the "Local Journey to See Local 100 (Local Journey)."

Minister YU has been visiting "Local 100" locations every month, starting with "Miryang" in December last year, followed by "Gangneung" in January, and "Suwon" in February. In March, he attended the spring festivals, which are part of "Local 100," including the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Changwon City (Mayor HONG Nam Pyo) and the Tongyeong International Music Festival in Tongyeong City (Mayor CHEON Young Ki), representing South Gyeongsang Province's major seasonal events.

Visit the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival and Listen to Feedback from Foreign Tourists on March 28

The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Changwon, a Local 100 event, combines the geographical characteristics of a naval base with Admiral YI Sun Sin's patriotic spirit in a commemorative ceremony. It is well known for being adorned with over 360,000 cherry trees, making it the area's largest event. The 62nd Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, themed "Spring Waltz! Wanna Fall in Love with Cherry Blossoms?," is divided into five zones: the official event zone (Jinhae Public Stadium), the participation and festival zone (Bukwon and Jungwon Rotary), the healing and walking zone (Yeojacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station), the sea sentiment zone (Jinhaeru), and the naval city zone (Naval Academy and Jinhae Naval Base). The cherry blossom streets of Yeojacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station are the festival's major attractions, along with the Chung-mu's Victory Parade on March 29 and the Military Music Festival from March 29 to 31.

Minister YU In Chon, along with Mayor HONG Nam Pyo and the foreign reporters, visited the old Gyeonghwa Station (closed in 2006) and walk along Yeojacheon Stream, thoroughly touring the festival site. He meet with foreign tourists visiting the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival and shared stories about traveling in Korea.

Attended the Opening Performance of the TIMF, Visited the Classical Education Site at Schools on March 29

The "Tongyeong International Music Festival (TIMF)," selected as "Local 100," is celebrating its 22nd year as Korea's largest classical music festival, held yearly from late March to early April. This year, from March 29 (Fri) to April 7 (Sun), the festival features world premieres under the theme "Eternity in Moments," including the Korean debut of Péter Eötvös' "Secret Kiss" and the Asian premiere of "Aurora."

Minister YU attended the opening performances of Hector Berlioz's "Harold en Italie" (collaborated with Antoine Tamestit) and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" by the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, which marks the festival's start. In addition, he visited Tongyeong Dongwon Middle School to observe classical music education in action, watch the students' saxophone orchestra performance, and encouraged the kids and their teachers. Minister YU also attended "Fringe Performances[1]" by amateur musicians.

Received Feedback on Creating a "Culture-rich Complex" Where Young People Want to Live

On the morning of March 28 (Thurs), Minister YU In Chon met with young entrepreneurs, workers, and local cultural artists at a cultural complex within the Changwon Industrial Complex to solicit feedback on the creation of a "Culture-rich Complex" where young people would like to live. This visit was conducted in collaboration with Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Deputy Minister from Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) in response to President YOON Suk Yeol's directive for "cultural and industrial complex integration" issued at the 14th Policy Discussion with Citizens in Changwon on February 22.

The Changwon Cultural Complex and Regional Content Korea Lab, renovated by the government from outmoded exhibition buildings in the 1980s, are now dynamic cultural and content hubs for employees, residents, and local artists.

Visited Changwon "Neulbom School" and "City of Culture" Tongyeong to Gather Opinions

Minister YU In Chon visited the "Neulbom School," which provides cultural and artistic education. He intended to engage in the cultural and arts education program at Hapseong Elementary School in Changwon City and to encourage teachers and officials. In response to high parental demand, the MCST developed "customized programs for first graders" for arts and sports, which are now available in over 200 elementary schools nationwide, across 358 classes for cultural and arts programs, and 150 courses for handball, new sports, and 12 other types of sports programs.

Tongyeong City, known for its historical Tongyeong 12 craft shop and cultural qualities as a UNESCO City of Music, has won MCST clearance for its plan to create a Korean Cultural City centered on a "Craft Cluster, Music Belt, and Art Journey." Minister YU, working with the MOLIT and Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), toured sites, including the Shin-A Shipbuilding, which are being converted into cultural spaces as part of the Korean Cultural City initiative.

Supports the Growth of Global Cultural Content by Visiting "Local 100" Sites Monthly

Minister YU said, "The Changwon Jinhae Gunhangje Festival and the Tongyeong International Music Festival are representative spring festivals held annually, perfect for spending time with family, friends, or loved ones." He further expressed, "We will continue to promote the unique charms of our region through the Local Journey campaign each month, supporting the growth of our local tourism into world-class cultural content and striving to boost visits by both domestic and foreign tourists."

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