Mungyeong to hold 75th Citizens' Athletic Meet and Cultural Festival on Wednesday

The city of Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province will hold the 75th Mungyeong Citizens' Athletic Meet and Cultural Festival at Mungyeong Citizens' Stadium on Wednesday, under the theme "Toward a Better Tomorrow, Vibrant Mungyeong!" the city announced Tuesday.

Athletic delegations from 14 towns, townships and neighborhoods will take part in the event, which opens with a parade of athletes followed by a reading of the Citizens' Charter, the raising of the tournament flag and the lighting of the torch.

This year's torch relay will culminate with Park Sang-gyu, executive director of the Mungyeong Kendo Association — whose entire family of six are all kendo practitioners — passing the flame to Kwon Eun-ju, a director widely regarded as a legend of Korean women's marathon, who will perform the final lighting.

The ceremony will also feature the Mungyeong Grand Award, which honors citizens and organizations that have contributed to local development and the promotion of regional culture, in commemoration of Mungyeong Citizens' Day on Oct. 15. National Assembly members will present commendation plaques to individuals recognized for their contributions to the community.

Kwon will also be appointed as a Mungyeong City honorary ambassador at the event, and winners of the fourth Mungyeong Trot Song Festival will perform in a celebratory concert.

"I hope this citizens' athletic meet will be a time of unity where everyone cheers and encourages one another, going beyond winning and losing," Mungyeong Mayor Kim Hak-hong said. "By pooling the passion and energy of our citizens, we will build a Mungyeong that strides boldly toward a better tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Mungyeong plans to hold the citizens' athletic meet and the cultural festival as separate events starting next year, allowing each to develop its own distinct character. The athletic meet will focus on civic harmony and promoting sports, while the cultural festival will be developed into an event that showcases the value of Mungyeong's traditions and local heritage.