Gwangju Women's Committee Hosts 'Singing Unification with the Fragrance of Poetry'

△ Group photo and chairman of the women's committees in Gwangju

The Women's Committee (Vice-chairperson Lee Soon-hee) of the Gwangju-siAssembly (Vice Chair Kang Hyun-gu) held "Singing Unification with the Fragrance of Poetry" on November 13 at Jeon Il Building 245, Gwangju-si, with about 200 participants, including women council members, North Korean defectors, mothers of the victims of the May 18 uprising, and representatives of women's groups.

The event combined poetry recitation and cultural performances that make use of women's sensitive emotions and characteristics. It was first held last year by the Gwangju-si Women's Committee and was so well received that the committee organized it again in 2024.

 The 'Singing Unification with the Fragrance of Poetry' was a 90-minute performance of poetry recitations, performances, and cultural performances. They carried the common theme of peaceful unification, the pain of division, and the plight of North Korean defectors.

△ <Opening Remarks> Lee Soon-hee, Chairperson of Gwangju Women's Committee

In her opening remarks, Chairperson Lee Soon-hee said, "I hope that today's performance will provide an opportunity to think about unification along with North Korean defectors, and I also hope that everyone who participated will have a time to imagine a unified Korea of freedom, peace, and prosperity while enjoying the poetry recitation."

△ <Words of encouragement> Kang Hyun-gu, Vice-chairperson of Gwangju-siAssembly / <Congratulatory remarks> Kang Ki-jeong, Mayor of Gwangju-si 

Gwangju-si Vice-Chairperson Kang Hyun-koo said, "I hope that everyone who participated today will unite with one heart and mind to create a unified Korea of freedom, peace, and prosperity while enjoying Singing for Unification with the Fragrance of Poetry." The speech was followed by congratulatory remarks from Gwangju-si Mayor Kang Ki-jeong.

The event, which was planned by women council members and female North Korean defectors, consisted of poetry recitations on the theme of peaceful unification and the pain of division and the plight of North Korean defectors. They included the opening poem, walk of peace, poetry performance, saeteomin, military demarcation line. The performances of electric violin, pan flute, and yodeling, were directed in combination with the above poetry performances so that the event could be like a single cultural work. Some women council members volunteered and recited poems on stage. Finally, the recitation of the closing poem "Baekdu Mountain" closed the "Singing Unification with the Fragrance of Poetry" event which turned out to be a great success.