The Echo of Independence: Commemorating the 107th Anniversary of the Uyang 4.2 Manse Movement
Every spring, Uyang transforms from a simple commemorative ceremony into a time that embodies the memory of history.
As a blogger for Ulsan City, I recorded my experiences at the reenactment of the 107th anniversary of the Uyang 4.2 Manse Movement.
"Long live Korean independence!" echoes once more.
Each spring, the area around Uyang is filled with fervent cheers.
The '107th Anniversary of the Uyang 4.2 Manse Movement Reenactment,' organized by the Ulsan Youth Chamber of Commerce, was not just a commemorative event but a historical experience that allowed participants to relive that significant day from 107 years ago.
The event began at the Uyang Administrative Welfare Center and spread throughout the city, with over 500 local residents, students, and descendants of independence activists joining together to enhance its meaning.
The cry for independence that first resonated in Ulsan
While many remember the March 1st Movement as a Seoul-centered event, the flames of independence also burned brightly in Ulsan.
On April 2, 1919, in the Uyang marketplace, the first Manse Movement in the Ulsan region began.
The movement was meticulously prepared, primarily by the Cheondogyo sect.
The independence declaration and news from Seoul served as a strong impetus for the people of Ulsan, particularly in the Sangbuk-myeon area.
Key figures spent the night creating the national flag and planned to gather numerous people for the uprising around the marketplace.
And finally, that day—
“Long live Korean independence!”
One person's shout turned into a roar of thousands, with about 2,000 people gathering in the Uyang marketplace to demand independence.
The unyielding spirit amidst gunfire
However, the Manse Movement that day did not end peacefully.
The Japanese military fired shots to suppress the demonstration, resulting in the deaths of youth and women who left no names behind.
Many were injured, and 48 were arrested and imprisoned.
Despite this, the wave of cries for independence that began in Uyang spread to the military barracks and Namchang, permeating all of Ulsan.
This outcry was not merely a protest but a life-risking choice and a determination to change history.
From reenactment to experience
The most impressive scene of this reenactment was the theatrical representation.
The play set against the backdrop of the Uyang marketplace vividly conveyed the urgency and desperation of that day.
During the subsequent march, participants carried the national flags into the streets.
In that moment of shouting “Long live Korean independence,” the audience became part of history.
Notably, the participation of students stood out.
Experiencing history firsthand, which they had only learned from books, was a remarkable way to reflect on its significance.
Living history in our daily lives
The event featured various experiential booths.
Making Taegukgi pinwheels
Writing letters to independence activists
Experiencing Ahn Jung-geun's foil art
These programs served as pathways to re-understand history in contemporary terms.
Memory strengthens through repetition.
Today, Uyang has several monuments commemorating the Manse Movement.
At the site of the old Uyang marketplace, the 'March 1st Independence Movement Historic Monument' stands, and in Sangbuk-myeon, the 'Sanjeon-ri 3.1 Movement Commemorative Monument' is located.
As memories embedded in these spaces meet the annual reenactment events, history comes alive more vividly.
Leaving the echoes of that day for today.
Through this coverage, I realized that history comes alive not through records but through 'action.'
The cries for independence that resonated in the Uyang marketplace 107 years ago continue to question us today.
How do we remember their sacrifices?
And how do we carry on that spirit?
I hope this annual event serves not just as a commemorative date but as an opportunity for self-reflection.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224270110226
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