The humanities program in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, is undergoing changes in its operational methods under the current administration. This year marks the first time the program has shifted from its previous format, which included special lectures featuring renowned speakers during the eighth term. A comparison of the last three years reveals that the changes are more about how the program is run than the fame of the speakers or the topics discussed.
In 2024, during the eighth term, the program featured special lectures with speakers like Choi Tae-sung and Jang Dong-seon, focusing on history and happiness, in conjunction with the Lifelong Learning Festival. In 2025, Professor Yoo Seong-ho from Seoul National University delivered a lecture titled 'Learning Life Through Death' at the same festival. While these events provided local residents with access to high-quality humanities lectures, they were primarily tied to specific events.
This year, under the ninth term, the operational structure has changed. Since July, Hwacheon County has been running a humanities program themed 'New Start Hwacheon! We Are One' until December. Instead of concentrating lectures around specific events, the program has been extended over several months and is being conducted in a touring format that includes not only Hwacheon-eup but also Sannae-myeon.
The role of residents has also evolved. In July, a program featuring composer Lee Ho-seop included performances by lifelong learning clubs, followed by a lecture where Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon explained the direction of county governance and directly addressed residents' questions on post-it notes. A program where residents sang together was also organized.
On August 24, a talk program followed Professor Choi Chang-ryeol's lecture on 'Coexistence in Hwacheon' at the Hwacheon Community Center, where Mayor Kim participated alongside residents. Another lecture is scheduled for August 31 at 6:30 PM at the Sannae Comprehensive Cultural Center.
Over the past three years, the distinction lies not in the number of lectures but in how and where residents are engaged. The shift from special lectures tied to the Lifelong Learning Festival to a regular program that spans several months, along with a touring format that reaches Sannae-myeon, emphasizes a participatory approach that combines listening to lectures with opportunities for residents to ask questions and engage in discussions and performances.
Particularly in Hwacheon, where distances between towns are significant and access to cultural facilities is relatively limited compared to urban areas, the administration's approach of bringing services directly to residents' living areas enhances accessibility to cultural and educational services. This focus on communication and unity among residents, as emphasized by Mayor Kim, is a notable change in the ninth term.
However, it is important to be cautious in evaluating these changes as mere 'expansion of projects' or 'increased budgets.' Current publicly available data does not allow for a direct comparison of the budgets for the special lecture programs in 2024 and 2025 with this year's humanities program. At this stage, it is more accurate to assess the changes as an 'expansion and restructuring of operational methods' rather than an increase in budget.
Looking ahead, sustainability and resident participation will be crucial. Simply inviting renowned speakers does not create local culture. The process of residents attending lectures, asking questions, and sharing diverse perspectives must be repeated for it to become a cultural asset of the community.
Hwacheon County plans to continue its programs until the end of the year, focusing on themes related to health, well-being, healing, and reflection, while also promoting local humanities that utilize regional resources related to peace, security, and ecology. As the humanities program transitions from special lectures in 2024 and 2025 to a regular, touring, and participatory format this year, it remains to be seen whether it will establish itself as a cultural staple that residents eagerly anticipate and seek out.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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