MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 1: Rememberance for March 1st Movement

Today, March 1st is a national holiday in Korea when March 1st Movement took place. There a lot of Koreans including many students and intellectuals participated in the movement, and they shouted for freedom. 

Even if they looked weak and powerless because they lost their land and ruled by Japan, they just rose Taeguek flag (Korean national flag) and shouted hurray for independence of motherland, restoration of light. 

Like them in 1919, today, on March 1st in 2013, MANNAM Gwangju branch organized the parade of cycling with Taeguek flags (It was covered in Korean news channel YTN: http://bit.ly/YOy95G)

In Seoul, there was a '응답하라 1919' event ('응답하라' means 'Do respond.' This title is a parady of '응답하라 1997,' which was a popular drama that made people who were students in 1997 felt  nostalgia. So, the title is intended to make audience think about 1919 when March 1st Movement occurred.)

One of MANNAM Busan North members visited Seoul to see families and she happened to see the event, and got the stickers! She guessed it's MANNAM event because there were many people including many international friends, and her thought was right! :) Then, she took pictures and sent these to Busan North members!

MANNAM members and citizens in Seoul walked together from Insa-dong to Gwang-hwa gate remembering March 1st Movement and wishing world peace! Also there were the parade to represent March 1st, 1919 - with similar clothes, and short drama. 

MANNAM volunteer association, which started from Korea, has been planning and held the national festival once or twice a year. Remembering Korean and world histories and giving a respect to many people who tired to make world peace is also what we want to do. 

Furthermore, our activities like these make people- especially for children and youth groups-rise awareness of the truly important values. We held 'Love for Taegeuk,  and Love for Mugungwha' on Memorial Day of 2009, gave thanks to UN participation in the Korean War on June 26th, 2010, held 'Festival of World Peace, Light Restoration, and Victory' celebrating the Independence Day in 2010 and 2011. Next posts I will introduce other events!