Bucheon, South Korea:
City of Stories
❋ An International FriendshipOur affiliation with the city of Bucheon, South Korea, is a quite recent one. Bucheon is located between Seoul and Inchon and has become a leader in the high-tech industry. In addition, Bucheon has become an important cultural center with three universities, several libraries, countless beautiful parks, a modern stadium, theaters, and many museums, including the Cartoon Museum and Ains World.
The relationship between Bakersfield and Bucheon began in March, 2005, with representatives from Bucheon first expressing an interest in establishing a Sister City relationship, followed by a group from Bucheon visiting Bakersfield in April, when they toured the city and met with Mayor Harvey Hall.
In October, a large delegation led by Mayor Gung-Pyo Hung, paid an official visit to Bakersfield, where they presented 10,000 Korean-language books to the Kern County Library. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two cities was signed when Mayor Hall and a delegation from Bakersfield visited Bucheon in April, 2006. This was followed by the official signing ceremony, which took place on September 25, 2006, at a gala dinner in Bakersfield.
❋Historical Significance: An Unesco Creative CityBucheon’s most distinctive identity is as a city of stories. In 2017, Bucheon joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature, with the motto “The Power of Literature to Change Your Life.” The designation fits a city that has built much of its public cultural life around books, comics, film, animation, festivals, libraries, and creative education.
It’s earned that title from it’s place as an absolute titan of entertainment. Bucheon is home to the Korea Manhwa Museum, which opened in 2001 and preserves, exhibits, and shares materials related to Korean comics. It’s also home to the International Fantastic Film Festival and International Animation Festival, both held since the late 20th century.
❋ Wonmisan Azalea FestivalAzalea Hill is not only a scenic destination. It is part of Bucheon’s seasonal identity. The Wonmisan Azalea Festival brings residents and visitors together during the bloom, turning the mountain into a place of spring celebration. Known as Azalea Hill in Bucheon, near Bucheon Stadium Station on Seoul Subway Line 7, it is home to the largest azalea colony in the Seoul metropolitan area. In early April, around 70,000 deep pink azaleas cover the slopes of Wonmisan Mountain (167 meters). The Wonmisan Azalea Festival takes place during this time. The trail, part of Bucheon Dulle-gil Course 1, is fairly gentle, so even a short 30-minute hike is enough to enjoy the flowers and reach the summit.
❋ From Incinerator to Art Bunker
One of Bucheon’s most striking examples of cultural transformation is Bucheon Art Bunker B39, a former waste incineration plant that has been reborn as a complex cultural and arts space.
The building began as the Samjeong-dong waste incineration plant, built during Bucheon’s rapid urban growth in the early 1990s. For years, it served an industrial purpose, processing the waste of a growing city. Rather than erase the structure, Bucheon chose to reinterpret it. Through a cultural regeneration project, the former incinerator was transformed into Art Bunker B39, a space for exhibitions, performance, media art, education, community programs, and cultural events. The building’s industrial past was not hidden. Its concrete forms, large-scale equipment, bunker-like spaces, and mechanical character were preserved as part of the experience.
Traditional Drummers at Jastro Park
Bucheon brings Dancing Robots for Sister City Event
Visitors honor Korean War Memorial
❋ Bakersfield & Bucheon TogetherThe relationship between Bucheon and Bakersfield is healthy, sporting mutual student exchanges and even a series of Zoom Cultural exchanges where language skills, recipies, and new friends are shared online.
In October 2007, Mayor Gun-Pyo Hong led an official delegation to Bakersfield. Accompanying them was a troupe of Korean classical musicians and traditional dancers, who presented two beautiful performances at the Dore Theater at California State University, Bakersfield. Another highlight of this visit was a gala dinner at the Holiday Inn Select.
In April 2009, members of the Bakersfield Youth Symphony traveled to Bucheon, where they performed at three concerts, and were provided with home stays by the generous people of Bucheon. In addition, the City of Bucheon has built a park dedicated to Bakersfield, and has repeatedly honored American veterans of the Korean War both in Bucheon and in Bakersfield.
“to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation, one individual, one community at a time.”