26th Hwaseong Special City Citizens' Day Ceremony Features 1,500 Citizens as Main Performers

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] On the occasion of its 26th anniversary, Hwaseong Special City created a moving scene in which approximately 1,500 citizens who filled the theater took the stage as main performers themselves, raising their pride as special city citizens.

The city held the '26th Hwaseong Special City Citizens' Day Ceremony' at Hwaseong Arts Theater in Dongtan District on the 20th.

This ceremony is particularly meaningful as it is the first citizens' day celebration since the launch of the four-district office system comprising Manse-gu, Hyohaeng-gu, Byeongjeom-gu, and Dongtan-gu. The city focused on sharing the results of the long-held citizens' aspiration project to establish district offices and publicizing its vision as Korea's representative special city both domestically and internationally.

Held under the slogan 'Today with Citizens as Main Characters, Tomorrow Shining Hwaseong Special City,' the event invited regional volunteers called 'Good Neighbors' and recipients of filial piety awards and volunteer service awards as primary guests, conducting it as a citizens-centered event.

The highlight of the ceremony was the performances created by citizens themselves. Beginning with a pre-ceremony performance by the Combined Farmers' Dance Group, the program continued with residents' autonomous council performances by district, orchestral performances by local universities, children's choir recitation of the Hwaseong City Charter, and performances by the Hwaseong City Cheerleading Association.

In particular, approximately 450 citizen performers, including the approximately 230-member Hwaseong City Combined Choir that closed the ceremony, filled the Hwaseong Arts Theater stage, completing the significance of a 'participatory ceremony.'

Mayor Jung Myeong-geun stated, "Hwaseong Special City was able to grow into Korea's representative city thanks to the participation and efforts of each and every citizen," and added, "Today's gathering is a meaningful occasion to share the growth achieved through the dedication of our citizens and to pledge an even greater leap forward."

He further emphasized, "We will continue to create a bright future for Hwaseong Special City where citizens are the main characters."

Meanwhile, the festive atmosphere continues on the 21st. A 'Special Concert' prepared to celebrate Citizens' Day will be held at Dongtan Yeoul Park.

The concert will feature rising idol group IF I, vocalist Yuju known for distinctive vocal abilities, emotional ballad artist Paul Kim, and the nation's representative musicians AKMU will headline the finale, creating a stage of harmony that can be enjoyed by all generations.