Suwon '매향동을 사랑하는 모임' Holds Vegetable Garden Party at Maehyang Village

[News S=Reporter Lee Min-jung] On the 4th at noon, the Suwon "Maehyang-dong Love Meeting" (Chairman Song Jong, hereafter "Maehyang Samo") held a "vegetable garden party" commemorating the fourth anniversary of the community development project at "Maehyang Jung" in Maehyang Village Garden, Maehyang-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon.

The event was attended by approximately 60 people including 20 outside guests including Lee Byung-jin, President of Suwon Urban Foundation, 30 members, and 10 family members.

The event began with a group singing of "Maehyang Song" composed by Oh Hyun-gyu, Chairman of Suwon Arts Association, and with lyrics by Chairman Song Jong. It proceeded with the opening of Maehyang Gallery, which displayed approximately 30 works including poems, paintings, and photographs created by members from the "Maehyang Village Project with Poetry and Pictures" selected for the Suwon Urban Foundation's public competition last year, followed by an unveiling ceremony of a plaque created by member Kim Chung-young.

The event then proceeded to share delicious food prepared through several meetings with female members, organized by Vice-Chairman Chae Young-ja of Maehyang Samo and Ko Young-hee, leader of the vegetable garden women's team. The food ingredients were prepared with vegetables grown in the garden and food materials donated by members, adding greater significance. In particular, the food preparation was organized by 11 members who gathered at the Ung-Hang-gung Eul-lim Center kitchen the day before the event to prepare 60 servings, while alcohol, beverages, and fruit were prepared through member contributions.

Meanwhile, the venue for today's event is the Maehyang vegetable garden created by Maehyang Samo members in 2024, serving as a healing place where people can touch soil and grow vegetables, while also functioning as a community space where garden crops are exchanged among members.

Chairman Song Jong stated, "I express deep gratitude to Samil Technical High School (Samil Academy), Paldal-gu Office, Suwon City Green Space Division, and Suwon Urban Foundation for playing the role of initial momentum and catalyst for village change," and added, "I also express heartfelt gratitude to the 40+ members who have been with us over the past four years."