Goyang Mayor Min Gyeongseon: "We Will Make Daehwa-dong, Which Carries on the History of Gawaji Rice Seeds, a Better Place to Live"

Goyang's Daehwa-dong Holds Residents' Festival Celebrating the History of Gawaji Rice Seeds
More Than 1,000 Attend... Fostering Community Through Rice Harvesting Experience and Performances

The Daehwa-dong Residents' Autonomy Council in Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province, held the 2026 Daehwa-dong Gawaji Residents' Festival at Jangseong Elementary School on the 9th. More than 1,000 people attended, including Goyang Mayor Min Gyeongseon, Goyang City Council Chair Kim Mi-su, National Assembly member Kim Young-hwan, Jeong Munsik, chair of the People Power Party's Goyang Jeong constituency committee, and local residents.

Goyang Mayor Min Gyeongseon delivers remarks at the 2026 Daehwa-dong Gawaji Residents' Festival, held at Jangseong Elementary School on the 9th. Provided by Goyang City.

The festival was organized to reflect on the historical significance of the Gawaji rice seeds and bring residents together. Activities included a sharing market and food market, a "Gawaji rice harvesting experience" with a pungmul troupe, and a QR-code walking trail experience introducing Daehwa-dong's attractions.

The Gawaji rice seed experience zone offered visitors a chance to learn about the area's history and traditions. Activities included making patterns with rice cake stamps, creating eco-friendly bags and coffee-ground keychains, and hands-on programs run by Daejin High School's science club. The Gawaji Gallery, featuring memories of the neighborhood, and a photo zone were also set up.

Stage performances included Jindo drum dancing, performances by foreign residents from Mongolia and Yanbian, violin playing, and taekwondo dance. Residents who took part in the singing contest showed off their vocal talents and mingled with their neighbors.

Mayor Min said, "Daehwa-dong is a meaningful and precious part of Goyang, where the Gawaji rice seeds, dating back 5,000 years, were unearthed. I am grateful for the dedication of the residents' autonomy committee members, who are carrying on Goyang's identity by growing Gawaji rice themselves and making Daehwa-dong a warmer community through the Four Seasons Happiness Together project."

He added, "I hope Daehwa-dong will continue to thrive with the interest and participation of its residents. I will do my utmost to make it a happy and pleasant place for everyone to live."

Goyang Mayor Min Gyeongseon and attendees pose for a commemorative photo at the 2026 Daehwa-dong Gawaji Residents' Festival, held at Jangseong Elementary School on the 9th. Photo provided by Goyang City.

Shin Taegwan, chair of the Daehwa-dong Residents' Autonomy Council, said, "I thank everyone who helped prepare the festival and the residents who took part. We will continue to organize a variety of activities that residents can participate in and enjoy together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.