On the evening of July 22, Gwanghwamun Square resonated with the clear voices of Ethiopian children singing 'Spring of My Hometown.' The performers were the grandchildren of Ethiopian veterans who fought for South Korea during the Korean War.
As the performance concluded, 23 pillars of light symbolizing South Korea and the 22 nations that participated in the Korean War illuminated the square. The bonds formed on the battlefield 76 years ago were revived through music, light, and the friendship of future generations.
The 'Garden of Gratitude' in Gwanghwamun Square is evolving beyond a simple memorial space into a new memorial platform connecting the world and South Korea.
Since its opening in May, the site has hosted various events, including the Korean War memorial ceremony, a joint cheering event for the South Africa World Cup, and performances by the Ethiopian Kanyou Choir, bringing to life the history of friendship and solidarity with participating nations.
Washington remembers names, Paris honors with flames... Seoul shines with '23 Lights'
Global memorial spaces do more than display the past; they share a commonality in that citizens repeatedly visit and participate, keeping memories alive in the present.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., engraves the names of 58,318 fallen and missing soldiers on a black granite wall, allowing visitors to reflect on their own images as they walk along the names.
In Paris, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe hosts a nightly ceremony to rekindle the 'Flame of Remembrance.' This ritual, ongoing for over a century, has become a symbol of national commemoration.
Seoul has chosen a different approach. Twenty-three stone pillars, each 6.25 meters tall, surround the square, and at night, the '23 Lights of Gratitude' connect as one.
While Washington remembers through names and Paris commemorates with flames, Seoul expresses gratitude to the world for safeguarding South Korea's freedom through 23 lights.
Beyond Remembrance: A 'Living Memory' Engaging Citizens
The most significant feature of the Garden of Gratitude is that memory does not remain confined to exhibits.
During the Korean War memorial ceremony held in June, flags of the 22 participating nations were raised in the square, and the '23 Lights of Gratitude' were illuminated. This was the first official event attended by over 500 people, including veterans' organizations, youth, and citizens.
During the Korean War commemorative week, citizens ran a 6.25 km course connecting Gwanghwamun and Jeongdong-gil, while children and youth participated in programs experiencing the contributions of participating nations. An outdoor library featured books and films on the Korean War for the public.
On the day of the South Korea vs. South Africa World Cup match, citizens and the South African ambassador to South Korea cheered together in the square, continuing the bonds formed 76 years ago through sports.
Though the formats varied—from ceremonies and performances to running and sports cheering—the message remained the same: freedom and prosperity are not solely the result of South Korea's efforts but are built upon the sacrifices and solidarity of nations worldwide.
Freedom Hall Attracts 100,000 Visitors in Just Over Two Months... A New Model for Memorials
The underground exhibition space, Freedom Hall, is also quickly drawing visitors. According to the Seoul city government, Freedom Hall, which opened on May 12, is nearing 100,000 cumulative visitors just two months after its launch. After recording over 62,000 visitors by June 21, more than 30,000 additional visitors have come in the following month.
The media art exhibition allows visitors to experience the sacrifices of veterans and the growth of South Korea in a multidimensional way. It naturally conveys that today's freedom and prosperity are possible due to the sacrifices of the world, showcasing South Korea's journey from a nation receiving aid to one providing assistance.
“A Memorial Platform Representing South Korea”
In the fields of veterans' affairs and culture, the Garden of Gratitude is being recognized as a new memorial model that extends the friendship between participating nations and South Korea to future generations, beyond merely commemorating past sacrifices.
Just as Washington and Paris have become global memorial landmarks symbolized by 'names' and 'flames,' Seoul is showing potential to grow into a representative space of memory for South Korea through its unique symbol of '23 Lights.'
A Seoul city official stated, 'The Garden of Gratitude is a space where citizens and future generations can experience the history of friendship and solidarity with participating nations beyond merely remembering the sacrifices of war. We will continue to develop it into a representative memorial platform of South Korea, where commemorative events, exhibitions, cultural arts, and international exchanges are continuously held.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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