Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Lights the Flame for the 45th National Para Games, Aspiring for a “United Korea”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that at 3 p.m. today (25th), a torch-lighting ceremony marking the beginning of the 45th National Para Games will be held at Godangbong Peak of Geumjeongsan Mountain.

This torch-lighting is expected to transcend a simple ritual, becoming a moving moment of sharing the message of challenge and hope with citizens.

The ceremony will take place near Godangbong Peak of Geumjeongsan Mountain, after which the flame will be transported to Busan City Hall. It will then be merged with the flame of the 106th National Sports Festival, kindled next month at Manisan Mountain in Ganghwa-do, to be reborn as the “Flame of Harmony.”

The flame symbolizes the determination of athletes who overcome hardships and reach the summit.

For this year’s games, the City has prepared four themed torch-lighting ceremonies:

• ●Flame of Hope, the first flame (Sept. 25): To be lit at 3 p.m. at Godangbong Peak of Geumjeongsan Mountain, serving as the official torch-lighting ceremony of the 45th National Para Games under the themes of challenge, harmony, and hope. The program includes a traditional drum performance, ancestral ritual, and the torch-lighting by the Seven Fairies.

• ●Flame of Peace, the second flame (Sept. 27): To be lit at UN Memorial Peace Park, accompanied by a citizen choir, Peace Park Concert, and interactive booths, delivering a message of world peace and prosperity. The concert will feature Burning Soda, Gurney, Okdal, and Shin Yong-jae, filling the autumn night with ballad melodies.

• ●Flame of Soaring, the third flame (Oct. 2): To be lit at Yeondaebong Peak of Gadeokdo, with a dynamic paragliding performance and maritime relay, leading to a citizen cheering concert at Busan Station Plaza. The concert will feature Jiwoon Band, Kyungseo Yeji, Norazo, and Koyote, transforming the torch-lighting event into a grand public festival.

• ●Flame of Harmony, the fourth flame (Oct. 3): To be lit at Chamseongdan Altar on Manisan Mountain in Ganghwa-gun on National Foundation Day. Beginning with the Gaecheonje ritual and Seven Fairies torch-lighting, the flame will be safely transported to Busan City Hall by vehicle relay.

The four flames kindled at different sites will be merged into “One Flame.” Through the torch-lighting and relay, the City expects to enhance public interest and participation in both national events, while widely promoting the value of a “United Korea” where people with and without disabilities come together.

Son Tae-uk, Director General of the Sports Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This torch-lighting ceremony is designed as a festival that citizens can enjoy safely and comfortably. We will do our utmost to imbue the torch with the meaning of the National (Para) Games and deliver a powerful message of hope and harmony throughout Busan.”