Commemorative Projects of the 80th Anniversary (1994-1996)
Commemorative Projects of the 80th Anniversary(1994-1996)
In end-1994, Sorokdo National Hospital set up plans for commemorating the 80th Anniversary to prepare for ceremonies and events to: 1) shed a new light on sorrowful and eventful past of Hansen’s disease patients, who lived in obscurity for 80 years; 2) give true color to Sorokdo so that Hansen’s disease patient can feel that it is their second home; 3) introduce Sorokdo inhabitants’ long fight against Hansen’s disease to domestic and overseas visitors to Sorokdo; and 4) rebuild social perception of Hansen’s disease. The plans were carried out by three divisions-Commemorative Ceremony Division, Exhibition Division, and Publication Division.
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Opening of Sorokdo Life Exhibition Hall
The Exhibition Division set up a basic plan in January 1995 and started to collect materials and data related to food, clothing, and shelter; religion; general custom (annual events, etc.); clothes, tools, houses, etc. specific to Hansen’s disease patients; intangible cultural heritage (play, music, dance, etc.); literary works (poems, novels, essays, etc.); facilities; monuments; and historical data or photographs showing transformation of the hospital and opened Sorokdo Life Exhibition Hall in line with the 80th anniversary commemoration ceremony.
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Compilation of The 80 Years of Sorokdo
The Publication Division opened its office on the second floor of the hospital on June 8, 1995 and assigned two administrative staff Kim Yangbin and Han Myeongseop as advisers for data collection and book writing. Also, Yoon Seokseon, who retired from the hospital, was appointed as the Japanese-Korean translator to translate original books written in Japanese. On November 29, a publication committee was formed, which was joined by Yoon Byeonggoo, Choi Jangok, and Shin Hyesoon, to publish 「Photograph Collection of the 80 Years of Sorokdo」 and the committee published 「The 80 Years of Sorokdo」 and 「Photographs of The 80 Years of Sorokdo」 on April 30, 1996.
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Commemorative Ceremony of the 80th Anniversary
The commemorative ceremony was held on May 17, 1996 at the square with the participation of 1,000 people including Minister of Health and Welfare Kim Yangbae, inpatients, hospital staff, neighborhood residents, and volunteers. Commemorative events opened on May 16 with fireworks and athletic contests participated by 60 athletes representing 6 settlement villages for former patients in Naju, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, etc. Many colorful events were held including a musical band parade, performance by a harmonica band composed of inpatients, athletics contests between hospital staff and inpatients, opening of Sorokdo Life Exhibition Hall, a photo exhibition, pasturage of deer, folk markets, and concerts.