“Time of Recovery” (Artists Lee Changyup & Yi Jin) at the “Artist Garden” A-1 section
SEOUL, May 17 (Korea Bizwire) – Throughout the summer, the sprawling Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seoul’s Gwangjin District will undergo a metamorphosis, transforming into a grand garden oasis for the city’s residents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the 2024 Seoul International Garden Show will take place from May 16 to October 8, under the theme “Seoul, Green Vibe.”
An expansion of the Seoul Garden Show held since 2015, this year’s event has been elevated to an international scale. Spanning approximately 10,460 square meters along the Han River waterfront, the expo will showcase 76 diverse gardens meticulously crafted by domestic and international garden experts, companies, institutions, students, citizens, and foreigners.
Artist Garden A-3 section
Marking the first time a garden expo takes the scenic Han River as its backdrop, the event aims to revive the iconic waterfront into a harmonious leisure space where gardens and the river coexist.
The “Invited Gardens” and “Artist Gardens” sections will feature the “Sitting Garden” by Kim Young-min and Kim Young-chan, winners of last year’s Seoul Landscape Architecture Award, as well as works by 10 teams selected through an international competition.
Several companies have also announced their intention to participate in the garden fair. Samsung C&T’s Resort Division will also showcase its eco-friendly garden at the 2024 Seoul Garden Expo at Ttukseom Han River Park. The photo shows a view of Samsung C&T Resort’s garden ‘Everscape; Eternal Landscape’
In the “Corporate Gardens” area, 17 exhibits by garden professionals and eco-friendly companies will be on display, while four “Institutional Gardens” created by the National Ecological Institute, Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Botanic Park, and Pureun Arboretum will showcase their expertise.
Visitors can also explore 10 “Student Gardens” brimming with fresh ideas from horticulture students, 15 “Citizen Gardens” fostered through community participation, and “Global Gardens” designed by foreign residents of Seoul.
HDC Hyundai Development Company also announced that it will showcase its ‘iPark Garden’ at the Seoul Garden Expo. The Seoul International Garden Fair is an event that aims to promote Seoul as a ‘garden city’ through various gardens cultivated by domestic and foreign experts, companies, organisations, citizens and students.
The opening ceremony for the expo was scheduled for May 16 at 4:30 p.m. on the waterfront stage at Ttukseom Hangang Park.
Approximately 300 attendees, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, participating artists, company representatives, and citizens, were expected to gather to celebrate the launch of the event.
Seoul international garden show
In addition to guided tours and academic events focused on garden culture, a diverse array of programs combining lifestyle elements such as relaxation, reading, music, and eco-friendliness will be offered.
Visitors can participate in the “Seoul Gardening Performance,” where they can create the Seoul brand pictogram using potted plants, or explore the “Garden Center,” “Pet Plant Kit Industry Exhibition,” and a “Mobile Pet Plant Clinic.”
Other attractions include the “Hatch Welcome Garden,” a sculpture exhibition in collaboration with the Sculpture City Seoul project, the “Han River Spring Festival,” “Fun Design Bench,” “Live Performances,” “Garden Open-Air Concerts,” and the “Wrist Doctor 9988″ event.
Inside the expo’s greenhouse, the “Three Forget-me-nots Garden” will be showcased in cooperation with the Ministry of Unification. Additional events like the “Rehabilitation and Independence Market for the Disabled,” the “2024 Seoul Developmental Disabilities Life Drawing Contest,” and the “Inclusive Garden Experience” will also take place.
The city has encouraged the use of public transportation to promote an eco-friendly event operation. Officials highlight the mental health and quality-of-life benefits associated with gardens, noting that simply observing a garden can reduce depression by over 20% compared to urban landscapes.
Research has also shown that gardening activities can decrease stress and enhance self-esteem among adolescents.
“This unprecedented international garden expo aims to transform the Han River into a vast carbon sink,” said Lee Su-yeon, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Parks and Recreation Bureau. “It will be established as a world-class garden festival, spreading gardening culture within the city.”
Image credit: the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Samsung C&T, HDC Hyundai Development Company, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
