We have a variety of national holidays and legal observances all the way from January through to December.

May, in particular, boasts more observances compared to other months, starting with Labor Day, Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, Voters’ Day, Adoption Day and more.

Looking carefully through the observances designated for May – Labor Day, Adoption Day, Teacher’s Day, Coming-of-Age Day, and so on – you can guess ‘Aha, this day must be for such and such’.

Unlike other occasions, however, you might tilt your head to the side a little because you don’t know the meaning of ‘Together Day’ on May 20.

Falling on May 20 every year, Together Day is a legal observance designated to create a social environment in which Korean citizens and foreign nationals residing in Korea respect each other’s cultures and traditions while living in harmony. On the week of Together Day, various events take place across the country including festival-like cultural events and debates in which citizens and foreign nationals in Korea can participate.

To celebrate Together Day, Gyeonggi Province began hosting a wide range of events, big and small, starting from the Together Day event on May 17.

Your Gyeonggi Net-keeper was also curious about Together Day.

So, I went to the Together Day event hosted by Gyeonggi Province on Sunday, May 17.

With the 8th Together Day on May 20 approaching, Gyeonggi Province’s own Together Day event has held on May 17 (Sunday) in the quad of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex and at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

The day was particularly warm and sunny. Everyone from children to adults on the quad of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex had broad smiles on their faces.

Gyeonggi Province’s Together Day events began at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. It kicked off with an event for children! It was time for a Treasure Hunt.

Many children run around the quad at the government office complex to find treasures hidden inside capsules.

After the Treasure Hunt, the next event was the ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’.

Before the competition started, however, people gathered around on the large grass-covered quad inside the complex to snap some photos and do simple warm-up exercises to the accompaniment of some cheerful music.

Once you take the arm of another person and create a pair, you’re ready to go!

Now, step to the front twice… Step to the back twice… raise both hands in the air and swing your hips to the side together! Clap!

Clap to the back! Clap! And then to the side one more time, clap!

Could it be because they’re doing it together with close friends and family? Each and every motion done in rhythm seems joyful. ^^

With the simple warm-up exercises completed, everyone moved to the starting point for the ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’ event at the rear entrance of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex. Then, with a load roar, the walking competition began.

The ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’ featured a course that began at the rear entrance of the government complex on to the Sooseong Mineral Spring, Jangan Park, Hwaseo Gate, Seojangdae, and then back to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex. The course was devised to offer an opportunity to experience the excellence of Korean culture.

Although it was a simple course for walking, a large number of marshals and 119 rescue team members came along to ensure the safety of all.

Now, shall we begin the ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’? Go!

In fact, the course used for the ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’ was not entirely new for your Gyeonggi Net-keeper.

Since your Gyeonggi Net-keeper works at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex, the course is one I often stroll along after lunch. But I have to say, it felt different although the course and the venue was familiar to me.

We passed the Sooseong Mineral Spring, Jangan Park, and Hwaseo Gate before finally arriving at Seojangdae!

Although we were gasping for air after climbing up the road on the fortress wall in the unusually bright and sunny weather, we all had to smile with a sense of accomplishment in making it to the destination.

As we arrivde at Seojangdae, we had a glimpse of Hwaseongjangdae first.

‘Hwaseongjangdae’ at Seojangdae

Everyone wiped away beads of sweat and enjoyed the magnificent nightscape while feeling the cool breeze at Seojangdae. For your information, Seojangdae has been selected as a great place to make a wish while enjoying the moon.

The marshals take in the beautiful panoramic view of Suwon for a while and to cool off.

Now that we’ve climbed up Seojangdae, which is a Jangdae from the Joseon Dynasty on top of Paldal Mountain in Suwon City of Gyeonggi Province, we should talk about a story of the Jangdae from our history.

One commentator participating in the ‘Walking Competition at the World Heritage Site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’ told a story about the history of Seojangdae in great detail for the participants.

Now, it’s time to go back to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex!

We pick ourselves up and set off once again following instructions from the marshals.

People may have been tired from the walking competition, but they still gathered around in front of the stage and took part in the quiz on Gyeonggi Province. I don’t know where they found the energy to keep going.

What’s the correct answer…? The intensity with which the children concentrated on the questions posed by the MC was so cute. One little girl seemed to be praying with her hands clasped tightly in front of her while she said, ‘Please let it be the correct answer’. ^^

After several quiz questions, three contestants who had survived to the final round were decided.

Drumroll, please… Who will be the final contestant standing in the quiz?

Now, this was the question asked to determine the winner of the quiz! (See if you can guess the correct answer…)

“This refers to the phenomenon in which the roots of two different trees intertwine grow together as if they are one tree.

This is also the symbol of the coalition government in Gyeonggi Province. What is this phenomenon?”

I know the answer! A male contestant wearing a purple t-shirt raises his hand and calls out his answer.

“Yeonliji!” That is correct!

First place went to the contestant who correctly answered ‘Yeonliji’.

Apart from these activities, traditional Korean pastimes such as hoop rolling, Yunnori, and Jegichagi, as well as more than 20 booths featuring food and costumes from countries around the world including Japan, Russia, Mexico, Cambodia, China and Vietnam were on hand at the Together Day event. The event also had other hands-on activities including an inflatable playset (upon which children who came with their parents could jump around as much as they wanted) and a class on making soap bubbles. Everyone had a great time thanks to all of these activities.

Meanwhile, a total of 19 people were recognized at the award ceremony for Together Day with such honors as a commendation from the Governor of Gyeonggi Province for merit in supporting foreign nationals, a commendation from the Minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs, and prizes for the winners of the essay contest illustrating foreigner’s life in Korea. Twenty prize winners of the 6th National Multicultural Speaking Contest that took place on the same day were also recognized.

Ms. Lee Min-hee, winner of the Most Outstanding Prize in the 6th National Multicultural Speaking Competition held inside the grand meeting hall of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, poses with Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

Contest participants pose for pictures after the award ceremony ⓒ Gyeonggi G News Yoo Je-hoon

Although the event wasn’t large and spectacular, Gyeonggi Province’s Together Day event was full of action! Many multicultural families and people of Gyeonggi Province were able to become one and participate happily thanks to some meaningful and fruitful activities prepared for the occasion

http://www.gg.go.kr/newscast4