Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Holds Welcoming Event for Provincial Teams: “A Warm Reception for All Across the Nation”

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□ Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that, to ensure the successful hosting of the 106th National Sports Festival and the 45th National Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities, it will hold welcoming events for provincial delegations from 16 cities and provinces near the Busan Asiad Sculpture Plaza today (October 16) and on October 30.
○ By welcoming delegations one day before the opening, the event aims to mark the start of the competitions and serve as a meaningful stage to share Busan’s culture of hospitality and civic enthusiasm with the entire nation.

<Overview of the 2025 Provincial Team Welcoming Event>
ㅇ (Purpose) To promote the festive atmosphere ahead of the opening and foster a warm reception for the athlete delegations.
ㅇ (Dates) ’25. 10. 16.(Thu) – National Sports Festival / ’25. 10. 30.(Thu) – National Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities ▸13:00–17:00
ㅇ (Venue) Near Busan Asiad Sculpture Plaza (29, Jonghapundongjang-ro, Dongnae-gu)
ㅇ (Participants) Delegations from 16 cities and provinces, Busan hometown associations, and volunteers.
ㅇ (Main program) Reception of delegations → Presentation of flower garlands and souvenirs → Welcoming performances → Commemorative photo session

□ The welcoming event will begin with the Gyeongnam region, followed by ▲Gyeongbuk ▲Honam ▲Jeju ▲Chungcheong ▲Gangwon ▲Capital regions, in sequential order. The event will be managed by the comprehensive operations team led by the Director General of Urban Innovation and Balanced Development Office, with 16 departmental task forces responsible for detailed guidance and reception.
○ In addition, hometown associations in Busan will participate to help each delegation feel the warmth of their home region, and citizen volunteers will join under the theme “All Busan citizens welcome the athletes,” giving the event a symbolic meaning that goes beyond a simple reception to represent “Busan Welcoming the Nation.”

□ The main programs include ▲Guidance for stage entry ▲Presentation of Busan-themed souvenirs and bouquets ▲Welcoming speeches and congratulatory messages ▲Participatory performances ▲Commemorative photo sessions.
○ The city will present souvenirs and bouquets that symbolize Busan so that athletes can experience a heartfelt welcome.
○ The participatory performance will involve delegation representatives placing cube pieces engraved with their regional logos into the structure, with the remaining spaces filled with festival symbols to complete a unified sculpture. This performance will symbolize “Harmony and Challenge,” the spirit of the festival.

□ To extend the welcoming atmosphere, Busan has installed banners throughout key downtown areas and around the event venues to ensure athletes feel the city’s heartfelt hospitality.
○ Banners have also been installed around pre-competition venues for seven sports — gymnastics, fencing, badminton, taekwondo, canoe, and others — so that athletes feel welcomed even before the official opening.
○ Each banner carries messages honoring athletes’ dedication and effort, allowing them to experience Busan’s warmth and enthusiasm before competitions begin.

□ Mayor Park Heong-joon said, “The warm welcome prepared by the city, hometown associations, and citizens will boost the athletes’ morale,” adding, “I expect this festival to unite the entire nation as Busan’s passion and the athletes’ spirit of challenge come together.”