Spring Letters at the Seodukchul Cultural Festival and Park
Seodukchul Park
Snowflakes and the Beginning of a Poetic Journey
“Snowflakes, white flowers blooming…”
This children's song inevitably blooms in my heart every winter.
However, many people still do not know that these warm lyrics are from the works of Ulsan's children's literature writer, Seodukchul.
I walked along the traces left by a poet who lived a short life of 33 years on the quiet hill of Ulsan's winter, planting spring in countless hearts.
A Poet Who Gave Hope to Children
Seodukchul was a poet who, even amidst the pain of the Japanese occupation, filled children's hearts with hope through poetry and songs.
Overcoming the challenges of a physical disability, he debuted by publishing Spring Letter in the children's literary magazine 'Children' by Bang Jeong-hwan, leaving behind over 70 poems and songs that convey clear and solid messages even today.
His representative work, Snowflake, is not just a simple winter song. It may be the breath of a poet warming frozen hearts during that era, a letter of comfort sent from the sky.
The 19th Seodukchul Cultural Festival
The 19th Seodukchul Cultural Festival was a special occasion to honor his life and literature.
The pre-event activities, celebratory performances, and a video depicting Seodukchul's life unfolded the profound meaning of his brief existence on stage.
The acceptance speeches from award-winning writers Son In-seon and Han Eun-hee evoked quiet emotions.
“Writing children's poems means becoming a less mature adult.”
“I received the award call on a morning when I saw a magpie.”
These simple sentences resonated deeply, much like Seodukchul's poetry.
A Quiet Walk Through Seodukchul Park
After the festival, I quietly made my way to Seodukchul Park, named after the poet.
Amid the apartment forests of Boksan-dong, it may seem like an ordinary hill, but it is a space where various outdoor sculptures, resting spots, fountains, pavilions, and playgrounds harmoniously blend nature and literature.
The sky was clear, and the distant trees were adorned with red fruits, seemingly hanging red letters instead of snowflakes.
Though there were few people, the trees embracing winter and the poet's verses warmly filled the space.
An Outdoor Sculpture Park of Literature and Time
Seodukchul Park is the only outdoor sculpture park in Ulsan.
With sculptures from prehistoric times to modernity, it serves as a playground for children and a bench for contemplation for adults.
Though the indoor exhibition hall was temporarily closed, the seasons, light, wind, and memories filled the space abundantly.
Reading Poetry Where Seasons Meet
In spring, Spring Letter, and in winter, Snowflake.
I read his representative work Spring Letter in a corner of the park.
“If I pick the newly sprouted willow leaves by the pond and send them to Gangnam with a stamp…”
The poet understood the hearts of those waiting for spring better than anyone else and knew how to convey that longing to the nation through a short children's poem.
A Park of Warm Memories
Seodukchul Park is a ‘warm memory park’ that everyone should visit at least once.
The echoes left by the poet, who lived like a spark for 33 years, still flow between the air, sculptures, and trees of the park.
“Please remember that Seodukchul existed in Ulsan.” It feels as if he is silently saying this.
Once we get to know him, the warmth of literature, life, and our hearts quietly begins to sprout.
Ulsan, which knows Seodukchul, is a city that embraces the warmth of literature.
Visit Seodukchul Park and meet him again.
It will quietly descend into your heart like a snowflake.
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