Held Saturday morning, the festival brought together veterans, families and residents to honor the sacrifice and dedication of national heroes through ceremonies, cultural performances, exhibitions and hands-on activities
Mapo-gu (district mayor Park Kang-su) held the "Happy to Be With You — 4th Patriots and Veterans Appreciation Festival" on Saturday morning along the Red Road R5–R6 corridor, drawing a large crowd in honor of Patriots and Veterans Month.
Now in its fourth year, the festival brought together veterans and their families alongside local residents to express gratitude for the sacrifice and dedication of the nation's war heroes.
The event opened with a parade by the 56th Division Military Band of the Capital Defense Command, followed by a band concert and a medley of military songs.
During the commemorative ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to the Mapo-gu Woori Neighborhood Children's Care Center Council, the Mapo Youth Culture Center, and former Mapo-gu Veterans Hall director Choi Gil-soon in recognition of their contributions to promoting veterans culture and honoring those who served.
An awards ceremony was also held for the "Patriots and Veterans — Love for the Nation Children's Drawing and Youth Essay Contest."
A total of 208 children and teenagers entered the contest, and nine winners selected through a judging process received certificates of commendation.
Kim Ha-nui, a first-year student at Sungsa Middle School, won the top prize in the middle school essay division and took to the stage to read her winning work aloud.
Kim's heartfelt pledge to remember the spirit of sacrifice shown by fallen patriots and war heroes and to carry on their legacy drew sustained applause and warm responses from the audience.
Following the ceremony, theater company Seokok staged an original musical performance under the theme "Your Sacrifice Became Our Peace."
The actors brought the sacrifice and dedication of fallen patriots and war heroes to life on stage, leaving a strong impression on the audience.
Celebratory performances by Bae Jin-a and Bae Geum-seong followed, creating a moment of unity as veterans and residents came together.
The festival grounds were organized around three themed zones: "Time of Memory," "Time of Gratitude," and "Time of Hope."
The "Time of Memory" zone introduced veterans organizations, the veterans hall, and related projects, inviting visitors to reflect on the dedication and legacy of those who served the nation.
The "Time of Gratitude" zone drew steady crowds with a display of 31 winning entries from the children's drawing contest, an exhibition of the national flag Taegukgi, and a showcase of military equipment.
The "Time of Hope" zone offered programs designed to engage children and teenagers in accessible, enjoyable ways — including an AI-powered experience meeting independence movement heroes, a costume activity featuring independence fighters, and a Taegukgi fan-making workshop.
Photo booth sessions and traditional games were also available, giving veterans, their families and residents a relaxed setting to mingle and create memories together.
Children and teenagers used the hands-on programs to learn about patriotism and the meaning of honoring veterans. Veterans, meanwhile, spent time taking photos and sharing stories with residents, fostering connection and understanding across generations.
"We hope this festival gave everyone a chance to reflect on the meaning of honoring our veterans and to feel genuine gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication," a Mapo-gu official said. "We will continue to do our best to spread veterans culture and ensure those who served receive the respect they deserve."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
