Hangul Day 100th Anniversary Event at Gwanghwamun Square... Exhibitions, Experiences, and Performances Prepared

Gwanghwamun Square will transform into a civic cultural space themed around Hangeul. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Hangul Day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will host Hangeul exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and Korean language performances at Gwanghwamun Square on the 9th.
 

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will hold "Seoul Buzzes with Hangeul" at the Nori Madang in front of the King Sejong statue at Gwanghwamun Square from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the 9th.

Hangeul-related facilities at Gwanghwamun Square were significantly expanded in 2009 with the installation of the King Sejong statue and the permanent exhibition space "The Story of King Sejong." At that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government created the statue by introducing King Sejong as a symbol of creativity and love for the people, and established an exhibition space below the statue covering King Sejong's life and the process of creating Hangeul.

The King Sejong statue was crafted in a form where he holds Hunminjeongeum open in his left hand and raises his right hand. "The Story of King Sejong," which opened in 2009, is currently operated as "The Stories of King Sejong and Chungmugong" after "The Story of Chungmugong" was added the following year.

Following the reopening of Gwanghwamun Square in 2022, the "Hangeul Fountain," which embodies the "Heaven, Earth and Humanity" principles of Hangeul creation, was also constructed. By expressing the shapes of consonants and vowels through water jets, it allows citizens visiting the square to naturally encounter the principles of Hangeul.

This year's Hangul Day event consists of exhibitions, experiences, and performances. The exhibition will feature "Correct Spelling," which introduces frequently confused expressions, and "Beautiful Hangeul Signboards," which showcases the winners of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "Good Signboard Contest."

Citizen participation programs will also be held. These include a temporary tattoo experience using Hangeul consonants and vowels, "Making My Own Hangeul Hat" where participants write messages they want to convey to King Sejong, and drawing activities completed together using consonants, vowels, and King Sejong as themes.

There will also be a "Making My Own Hangeul Postcard" activity where participants travel around the event site to collect stamps to complete a picture of King Sejong. Citizens who participate in the experiences and satisfaction surveys will be provided with souvenirs such as Hangeul pencils.

On the stage in front of the King Sejong statue, "Korean Language Song Performances" consisting of pop songs and traditional Korean music will be held. Actors dressed as King Sejong and the Seoul Metropolitan Government character Hechi are also expected to visit the event site to meet citizens. Photo zones using Hangeul and Hechi, as well as a space to display on-site photos on electronic displays, will also be operated.

Since 2018, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has continued related programs every Hangeul Week, including Hunminjeongeum Haerye exhibitions, Korean language essay contests, calligraphy contests, explorations of Hangeul creation principles, and Hangeul problem-solving.

Kang Sun-mi, the Seoul Metropolitan Government Public Relations Officer, said, "Gwanghwamun Square is a space that has contained the value and meaning of Hangeul, starting with the King Sejong statue and 'The Story of King Sejong.' On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Hangul Day, we hope this will be a time for citizens to reflect on the value and beauty of our writing while directly writing and enjoying Hangeul."

Read the original (Korean)