E2024-G019

A Walk Through Poetry Monuments in Sajik Park

Narrative

Sajik Park in Gwangju offers a unique path tracing the history of Korean poetic literature. Established in the 1990s, the park features over ten monuments engraved with poems by both historical and modern figures, spanning from the Joseon period (1392-1910) to the 20th century.

Among the works from the Joseon period are “Chrysanthemums in Bloom” (Hwanggukhwaga) by Song Sun (1493-1582), which expresses gratitude toward the king; “Buried Deep in the Mountains” (Gipeun sane muchyeo) by Bak Sang (1474-1530), reflecting a life withdrawn from worldly affairs; and “Spring Mountain Song” (Chunsangok) by Kim Deok-ryeong (1567-1596), embodying loyalty and a spirit of righteousness. “The Song of Hansando Island” (Hansando ga), composed by Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) during the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598, conveys his deep concern for the nation and reminds us that poetry can serve as a record of the human spirit.

The modern section includes “Spring Rain” (Bombi) by Yi Su-bok (1924-1986) and “Traditional Korean Paper of Joseon” (Joseon ui changhoji) by Bak Bong-u (1934-1990), both of which quietly express the sensibilities of a more recent era.

The poetry monuments of Sajik Park form a literary promenade where writers and warriors, tradition and modernity, coexist. These engraved verses speak across centuries, quietly conveying the spiritual legacy of the Korean people.

Story Map

• Echoes of Literature and Art: Five Cultural Walks in Gwangju
  • Sapyeong Station: A Fictional Place, a Literary Memory
  • The Garden Culture of Joseon Literati in Full Bloom in Jeolla
  • Gasa Cultural Region: Where Nature and Poetry Meet
  • A Walk Through Poetry Monuments in Sajik Park
  • A Journey through the Literary Legacy of Gwangju’s Four Poets