▲ This file photo shows the city of Gwangyang covered with full-blown plum blossoms. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Mar. 10 (Yonhap) -- The 22nd Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival has heralded its opening with a ceremony commemorating the Festival’s return.

The 10-day-long Festival will be greeting spectators from Friday. The opening ceremony, which was held on the main stage in front of the Maehwa Culture Center in the city of Gwangyang in South Jeolla Province, kicked off with a speech by Kim Jong-ho, chairman of the Festival, which was followed by the pre-ceremony performance of the Gwangyang City Gugak Orchestra.

The second part of the event was marked by four counties along the Samjingang River, including Gwangyang, Gurye, Hadong, and Gokseong, chanting the slogan “Beginning of the Seomjingang River Tourism Era.”

Congratulatory messages were then delivered by guest speakers, including governor Kim Young-rok of North Jeolla Province, four heads of local counties in the Seomjingang River area, and the city and county chairmen, as well as vice-chairman of the provincial council.

The ceremony also presented a performance to commemorate the first year of the Seomjingang River Tourism Era.

Governor Kim said, “Congratulations on the return of the Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival in four years, as well as the declaration ceremony of the Seongmjingang River Tourism Era, which the four cities and counties along the River are aiming to open.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Jeong In-hwa of Gwangyang said, “It is very meaningful that the 22nd Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival could return after a long wait, thanks to the support and interest of so many people,” adding, “Gwangyang City will be welcoming tourists with our own outstanding programs and impressive manners.” 

The Festival will be held from Friday to Mar. 19 in Maehwa Village and the center of Gwangyang.

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

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