[Gyeonggi-do DMZ 60th Anniversary ⑤] Sky and Ground Shaking Festival (Cheonjijindong Festival) to be Held in Imjingak
Samulnori Team, Team of Long March through National Land, war veterans, and Serotonin Drum Club to participate in the event

◇ Prior to “The 3rd Sky & Ground Shaking Festival-Echoing Peace, Opening Peace” held in Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri on the 27th, a parade is being held on the road with the participation of Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo and Gyeonggi Arts Center Chairman Cho Jae-hyun. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

◇ The Sky and Ground Shaking Festival began as the Samulnori Team, Team of Long March through National Land, war veterans, and Serotonin Drum Club entered the Pyeonghwanuri Park and moved in formation. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

Voices of peace echoed in Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri of Paju, Gyeonggi-do, at 6:30 p.m. on July 27th, making the sky and the ground shake. 

In celebration of the 60th year of truce, “The 3rd Sky & Ground Shaking Festival-Echoing Peace, Opening Peace” was held in Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri on the same day under the theme of ‘A Little Peace in Daily Life/Human Relationship and Peace.’

“The 3rd Sky & Ground Shaking Festival-Echoing Peace, Opening Peace” was hosted by Gyeonggi Province, Gyeonggi Arts Center, and Paju in celebration of the 60th year of truce at DMZ in the order of Peace Relay-DoDream, Peace Concert-Cheers, and Peace Pungmul Performance-Harmony.

In DoDream, the 4th DoDream Team of Long March through National Land that completed the 20-day journey starting from Busan, Mokpo and Haenam was greeted upon arrival. There were also other events such as a memorial service, bell-tolling ceremony, and parade. The parade participants, along with the Samulnori Team, struck the bell as they started off from the Peace Center. The festival began as the Samulnori Team, Team of Long March through National Land, war veterans, and Serotonin Drum Club entered the Pyeonghwanuri Park and moved in formation.

Andrew, a war veteran who attended the event that day said, “This 60th year anniversary of the Korean war reminds me old memories. Miracles that were unimaginable at that time are happening. Korea is showing such miracles. I’m honored to have taken part in the war. This event reminds me of my fellow soldiers who couldn’t be here with me. I hope Korea’s DMZ is protected as a global symbol of peace.”

In this event, many participants cheered for peace in harmony from beginning to end, including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo, Paju Mayor Lee In-jae, Gyeonggi Arts Center Chairman Cho Jae-hyun, as well as 150 war veterans, 1,500 Kim Deok-su Samulnori Team members, 500 Serotonin Drum Club members, Gyeonggi Provincial Art Group Choir, and 300 members of the 4th DoDream Team of Long March through National Land.

◇ Governor Kim is waving at the participants in greeting. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

Sun Ji-yoon, a 23-year-old student from Haenam Team, said, “The parade was great as the young generation could also have a great time. As we walk under the sunlight, the march  is exhausting because of thirst and heat. It was especially tough until Day 10 due to water shortage.” The members of the Team of Long March through National Land, with deeply tanned skin and possible exhaustion from long walking for 20 days, also joined the festive mood excitedly.

“It was my first time seeing so many people doing samulnori together, and I thought it was extremely magnificent and beautiful,” said another 23-year-old student named Go Seok-joon. He laughed as he added, “I got many memories as I came all the way from Haenam to this place. It’s a new pleasure, something I’ve never felt even during my military service.”

Governor Kim Moon-soo who joined the festival from beginning to end presented a complimentary message: “I would like to appreciate the war veterans who  fought in the war from various countries around the world to support Korea. Moreover, I would like to give a big hand for those of you who prepared this magnificent Sky and Ground Shaking Festival.”

Governor Kim commented, “Just because of our weakness, Korea had to suffer the war without a sin, which resulted in the division of territory into south and north. However, we created a miraculous history by establishing this great country from the heap of ashes with the ruins of the war. Today, we have gathered together in one place to claim peace. Let’s shout for peace so that it can be heard in not only Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri but also the whole world for all the people who love peace.”

Last year, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Arts Center held the grand-scale Sky and Ground Shaking Festival (Cheonjijindong Festival) in the Suwon World Cup Stadium under the theme of Arirang, with 45,000 people attending.  

◇ There were many participants in this event, including 150 war veterans, 1,500 Kim Deok-su Samulnori Team members, 500 Serotonin Drum Club members, Gyeonggi Provincial Art Group Choir, and 300 members of the 4th DoDream Team of Long March through National Land. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

◇ A scene of the event. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Lim Se-jin / yh48635@nate.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201307280034537055C049&s_code=C049&newsType=N