Gwangju: City of Light, City of Youth, City of Cultural Events

GWANGJU – Despite the rains that have been present in the city in recent days, nothing stopped the youth. The ‘City of Light’ has been lighting up more than ever for this Summer Universiade. The World Youth Festival at the Democracy Square in the Asia Culture Complex kicked off on 4 July, and concluded on 12 July. Downtown Gwangju – Geumnamro – turned out into a village full of youth and music to enjoy during this Universiade.

The Metropolitan City of Gwangju and the Gwangju Universiade Organising Committee (GUOC 2015) carried out a series of cultural events for this World University Games. The Mayor of Gwangju and GUOC Co-President, Mr Yoon Jang-hyeon, was present at the events, to cheer for the youth. Different music styles could be discovered, traditional Korean but also K-pop, like the local electropop band ‘Glen Check’, which with its powerful electro beats certainly caught the attention. The concert also featured Korea’s world famous ‘PSY’ who set the audience on fire with his ‘Gangnam Style’ song closing the World Youth Festival.

The famous PSY

“This was really a great event, I’m totally in love with the culture and quality of the people here! These events help to promote the city’s culture and this has been a very good one”, stated Elaine Morellato from Brazil.

“I saw billboards on the street and I realized that certain cultural events were going to take place during these games and I said: I want to go! Everything was awesome, is a great experience with great music and performances, I’m very excited. People in Korea are very friendly and wonderful”, exclaimed William Watkins from the United States of America.

Karen Quintero (COL), FISU Young Reporter