Mayor Shin made this statement following the closing performance of the festival, which was hosted by the city of Gwacheon and organized by the Gwacheon Cultural Foundation.
The mayor is focused on expanding opportunities for cultural enjoyment in citizens' daily lives and strengthening the foundation of the local cultural city.
The festival, held from September 18 to 20 at Gwacheon Citizen Plaza and the Gwacheon Citizens' Hall, attracted approximately 175,000 visitors.
This year's festival featured the theme 'Floating,' moving away from a performance-centered approach to allow citizens to engage with art in their everyday spaces.
Notably, Mayor Shin established a festival concept called 'G-Pop City 2.0,' which integrated performance, experience, market, and relaxation areas into one space, creating a village within an imaginary city called 'G-Pop Village.'
Citizens and visitors were encouraged to explore the festival grounds, experiencing a variety of content beyond just watching performances.
The festival showcased street performances like 'iPuppets,' parades involving citizens and artists, and a combination of moving structures and fireworks called 'Kinetic Fire.'
Performances from invited artists from the Netherlands, Japan, and France, as well as local groups like the Gwacheon Symphony Orchestra and the Gwacheon Women's Choir, were also featured.
Citizen participation programs were expanded, including experiential activities like 'Memory Storage of Logs,' 'Fix the Broken Spaceship,' and 'With Chalk,' along with food booths and markets run by local merchants and creators, enhancing community engagement and stimulating the local economy.
Throughout the festival, citizens enjoyed performances and experiences in plazas and streets, reflecting Gwacheon's policy direction to integrate cultural content into daily life.
Attendees not only watched performances but also participated in street parades, experiential programs, and markets, utilizing the festival as a space for everyday cultural activities.
A diverse range of visitors, from families to local residents and outsiders, contributed to the festival's community-centered atmosphere.
The participation of local merchants and creators was also notable, providing opportunities to showcase food and products while promoting local cultural and commercial content, thereby linking cultural events with the local economy.
Mayor Shin Gye-yong added, "We will continue to strive to ensure that citizens can experience and enjoy art close to their daily lives."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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