Seodaemun-gu (district mayor Park Un-gi) will operate a hands-on cultural project called "Pobangter DaITso" at an idle space inside Pobangter Market (11 Pobangter 2-gil) once a month from July through November.
The project was conceived as part of a cultural tourism market development initiative to give local residents and visitors a reason to visit and linger at the market.
Each month will feature a program built around a new theme, with the goal of transforming the traditional market from a place to shop into a multifaceted cultural space where hands-on experiences and culture coexist.
The first program is a children's cooking class in which participants use fresh ingredients sourced from Pobangter Market. It will run free of charge four times on Saturday, July 11 — at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Participants will also receive a small commemorative gift.
In August, cooking classes for foreign visitors and families are planned, and a variety of seasonal events tailored to different audiences will follow from September through November. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis through Naver reservations for Pobangter Market.
Yoo Gyeong-hui, chair of the Pobangter Market merchants' association, said she hopes "the hands-on experiences will translate into purchases and provide real help to the vendors." Kim Seong-ju, head of the Pobangter Market cultural tourism development team, said the project aims to "build a market where vendors and customers connect and every visit is a pleasure."
District Mayor Park said he expects the Pobangter DaITso project to draw more visitors and inject vitality into the local commercial district. He added that the district will "actively support traditional markets so they can grow into the heart of the local economy and a lifestyle and cultural space that belongs to the community."
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