Exploring the Beauty of Jeongmin Stream in Gongju
Jeongmin Stream is a must-visit spot during a trip to the historic downtown of Gongju.
In May, when the weather is bright and sunny, various events were taking place in Gongju, including the Flower-Mong Water-Mong Book Festival at Jeongmin Stream.
📚 Flower-Mong Water-Mong Book Festival
○ Dates: May 9-10 / 16-17, 2026
○ Time: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
○ Location: Jeongmin Stream, from Banju Bridge to Jungdong Bridge
Especially in the late afternoon and evening, there was an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely book picnic.
On the last day of the Gongju Book Festival, I visited in the late afternoon to savor the beautiful evening scenery of the festival.
The Flower-Mong Water-Mong Book Festival, part of the 2026 Reading-Based Regional Revitalization Project, was held at a representative site in Gongju.
In April, the festival took place amidst the blooming cherry blossoms at the Chungnam History Museum, while in May, it was hosted at the Jeongmin Stream area, recognized as one of the Local 100 cultural attractions by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Gongju Book Festival created an outdoor library along Jeongmin Stream, offering a space for relaxation and healing, featuring various cultural programs such as author talks, poetry readings by local poets, and night performances by the Gongju Cultural Foundation.
Additionally, there were fairy tale performances, experience booths, and an exhibition of historical photos using archives from the Gongju Studies Institute, making for a diverse array of content.
As the sun began to set on the last day of the May event, I approached Jeongmin Stream and saw groups of people sitting together.
Beautiful bookshelves were placed at each seating area, allowing visitors to read while enjoying the serene stream in the background, which added to the excitement of the experience.
The outdoor library at the event, along with its various programs, provided a special time where books and nature harmoniously came together.
Particularly, the participation of the local bookstore, Gongju Travel Bookstore, offered interesting content, making it a popular cultural space for people of all ages.
On that day, despite an unexpected early heatwave, a refreshing breeze blew in the afternoon, creating perfect weather to enjoy the spring of May. I picked up a book and settled into my seat, accompanied by the gentle flow of emotional music.
As I browsed through the pages, I could feel the meticulous care that went into this Gongju Book Festival. A variety of topics were displayed, intriguing both children and adults.
I was particularly delighted to find new novels and works by acclaimed author Han Kang, who had gained attention for her recent publications.
Among the many books, I chose to read 'Riptide' by author Jeong Dae-geon.
'Riptide' is a gripping modern novel that reads easily despite its thickness. The story begins with an impressive event, allowing readers to quickly grasp the plot and immerse themselves.
As the sun set and the evening sky filled with colors, the lights began to illuminate the night, creating a stunning scene over Jeongmin Stream.
Surprisingly, there seemed to be more people visiting the event in the evening than during the day.
To soothe the bittersweet feeling of the festival’s last night, many enjoyed reading books and relishing a book picnic in a relaxed atmosphere.
Unlike other bustling festivals, the Gongju Flower-Mong Water-Mong Book Festival offered a serene and peaceful environment for contemplation even late into the night.
With families and tourists continuously arriving, it will surely be remembered as a wonderful reading culture event that embodies Gongju's warm sentiment and leisure.
I felt as though I had been gifted a special healing time away from daily life.
Once again, I was reminded that Gongju is indeed a remarkable city for reading.
In fact, Gongju was selected for the 2026 Reading-Based Regional Revitalization Project organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and managed by the Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency.
This initiative aims to strengthen the foundation of reading culture throughout local governments nationwide and promote community recovery and local economic revitalization through reading activities.
Gongju aims to foster cultural empathy across generations and strengthen regional identity, planning to convert potential readers who have not frequently engaged with books into actual readers.
I look forward to the memories of the Flower-Mong Water-Mong Book Festival at Jeongmin Stream next year.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224293096798
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