The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service announced on October 8 that the 'Urban Forest Art Therapy Festival' will be held throughout October in four regions: Yangcheon and Eunpyeong in Seoul, Suncheon in Jeollanam-do, and Geumjeong in Busan.
Urban forest art therapy is a program designed to help citizens experience cultural and artistic activities in nearby urban forests, enhancing emotional stability and resilience.
The art therapy programs will continue regionally until November. Following a local festival organized by the Samcheok Cultural Foundation in May, the October events will take place in Yangcheon and Eunpyeong in Seoul, Suncheon, and Geumjeong.
The festival will kick off on October 10 at Yangcheon Park with 'Cozy Forest, Yangcheon Park,' followed by 'Breathing in the Forest' at Suncheon Bay National Garden on October 17, 'Green Sound, Dyeing' at Nokbeon Neighborhood Park and Eunpyeong Cultural Arts Center in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, on October 24-25, and 'Connection: Urban Forest, Connecting Hearts' at Spowon Park in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, on October 24.
Each urban forest will feature cultural and artistic healing programs tailored to its unique characteristics. Yangcheon Cultural Foundation will offer wellness programs utilizing breathing, movement, and meditation; Suncheon Cultural Foundation will provide participatory performances and experiential programs using singing bowls and percussion instruments; Eunpyeong Cultural Foundation will present immersive art therapy programs incorporating barefoot breathing and movement meditation; and Geumjeong Cultural Foundation will host sensory-based healing programs focusing on nature's sensations and soundscapes.
Im Jin-taek, the director, stated, 'We prepared this festival to provide opportunities for citizens to experience culture and art in urban forests across the country, allowing them to care for their weary hearts in daily life. We will continue to expand community-led cultural and artistic healing initiatives so that citizens can experience rest and recovery close to home.'
Additionally, anyone can participate in the 'Urban Forest Art Therapy' through pre-registration via local cultural foundations or on-site registration on the day of the festival. Detailed schedules, programs, and participation methods can be found on the websites of the respective cultural foundations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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