SEOUL, Korea, Sept. 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Seoul, the cultural hub of Korea, is in the process of becoming an advanced eco-friendly city. The completion of the Cheong Gye Cheon Stream Restoration Project will mark the eco-advanced rebirth of Seoul. Serving the needs of people and commerce, the urban development project will breathe new life into the thriving cultural capital.
Once a flowing force through Seoul's downtown sprawl, the Cheong Gye Cheon Stream was encased in concrete for years, totally obliterating the gushing waters that beautified the city. The restoration will uncover the stream so that it can surge once again through the streets as a rushing symbol of Seoul's eco-friendly development. October 1 will mark the historic event with the Cheong Gye Cheon Festival, a happy day of bright costumes and typical Korean dishes. The City-wide celebration will also include Floral Art Exhibits, Architecture Exhibits, A Food Festival of Native Dishes, Exhibitions of Culture & History and Folk Games and Events.
The joyous event will not be without a serious side as Professor Brutomeso reminded us with his words, "The Cheong Gye Cheon Restoration Project will breathe new life into Downtown Seoul. It will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Seoul's history and also a big, meaningful step towards sustainable urban development."
The festival of cultural and historical significance will include the Seoul World Mayor's Forum providing mayors and world experts an open forum to brainstorm on the restoration process and the impact of the stream's restoration. The celebration will also promote Seoul's new image as an eco-friendly and cultural city to spectators and to the watching world. The Cheong Gye Cheon Festival will be fun for families too so that everyone can celebrate and enjoy the newly restored stream, which has become a new symbol of the new Seoul. Once the Cheong Gye Cheon is restored, Seoul will be dramatically altered forever to an environment friendly and human focused urban space.
Seoul, the heart of the nation's political, economic and cultural activities, has led Korea's surge in economic growth over the last four decades. Seoul now becomes the symbol of environmental hope for the entire country as the Cheong Gye Cheon Stream Restoration nears completion and symbolizes the nation's present and future eco-friendly direction.
For information: log onto http://cgcfestival.seoul.go.kr