As a start-up project of the May 18 Photo Exhibition, there has been the photo exhibitions under the title of "The Great Heritage of Democracy" in 4 South Asian countries(Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan) from April 15th, 2016. Here is a vivid report from the field.

The photo exhibition ‘Great Heritage of Democracy of Gwangju Democratic Movement’ has been organized by Human Rights Alliance HRA Pakistan with a support of the May 18 Memorial Foundation in South Korea. The exhibition has been carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the exhibition has taken place from 15 April to 21 April in Zafar Kazmi Art Gallery at Sindh Museum Hyderabad Pakistan. In the second phase, the exhibition has taken place from 22 April to 28 April at Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan. The exhibitions were inaugurated by District Bar Associate General Secretary Hyderabad and Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam Hyderabad Pakistan respectively. The exhibition has been attended by numerous people from all walks of life and it was a successful event.

The purpose of the exhibition was to create greater understanding and awareness of the civil society, lawyer, academia, media and general public about the Great Heritage of Democracy of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Besides, the aim of the project was to develop the mindset of participants regarding the sacrifices and struggle of Korean students for change and democracy in the country. The message of Korean people and May 18 Foundation has been delivered to people of Pakistan through the photo exhibition.

Participation in the Photo Exhibition

Altogether 150 different institutes have visited to witness the democratic movement in South Korea. Key political parties’ leaders, religious leaders, academia, youth, civil society organizations, universities and general public participated in the event. More than 2000 women, children and youth participants have participated in both exhibitions. Participants showed a high level of engagement in Korean uprising. All participants have actively involved in the Korean May 18 movement situation. Participants have asked numerous questions related the Gwangju uprising. Participants took keen interest and captured the Korean struggle for democracy in 1980. Numerous schools and colleges brought their youth students for exposure to the Gwangju Democratic Uprising in Korea photo exhibition. Besides, different families, artists, heritage and a Sufi community have visited the exhibition in large number. The number of woman and girl visitors was very high. This was an achievement of the event. In Pakistani culture, women and girls rarely come out for such events.

Coverage of Exhibition

Media has covered the event and ran the story in different local newspapers. The newspaper published that Gwangju Democratic Uprising in Korea on May 18 changed the entire scene of Korean democracy and human rights situation. Korea has entered a new era of civil and political rights. People of Pakistan must learn and understand that how democracy and rights can be achieved through a nonviolent struggle. Each segment of society should play’s part to strive for rights and democracy in the country. This uprising taught us a lesson that when a nation or segment of a nation stood up for their rights and remained strong enough, they could achieve those rights by remaining focused and determined.

Exhibitions were successfully organized. Visitors came in high numbers and recommended the exhibition to their families and friends. The message about Gwangju uprising in Korea has been speared through social and print media. People took a keen interest in the photo exhibition and learned about the democratic struggle carried out by students in Korea. These exhibitions have created strong impact over the mindset of youth and students in Pakistan. Visitors wrote numerous messages regarding the Gwangju uprising in Korea.

Exhibition of Inspiration to the people of Pakistan

The photo exhibition remained a source of inspiration for all the visitors from different segments of the society of Pakistan. Gwangju uprising was an event to change the mindsets of people who are striving for their rights in different parts of Pakistan. According to them, this movement gave them a way to fight for their rights and to achieve an immense success. Visitors shared that this uprising was a guide for the marginalized and deprived communities to do the struggle for their fundamental rights. They felt that this uprising gave birth to a new Korean era and society where people could raise their voice against injustice, inequality and violation of human rights. A number of human rights activists shared that this photo exhibition gave us clear message: Do not remain silent against an unfair treatment, weak democracy and no rule of law but strive and strive hard for justice like Korean students did. This entire messages and discussion showed that Gwangju Korean uprising remained as an inspiration for those who visited and conveyed a powerful message to the others. Pakistan people felt that this mindset change through the photo exhibition was the need of the hour.

Impact of Photo Exhibition on the people of Pakistan

Gwangju uprising has created high impact in Pakistan through the photo exhibition. The visitors made frequent requests to organize this photo exhibition in their area, district, city, school or province. A number of people decided that they would share the story of Gwangju Korean uprising with their friends, community members, leaders and fellows who were unable to witness this history during the photo exhibition. People captured videos of entire photos with key information and messages to share further. People clearly indicated that they would follow the same model if there is any action from a government against common people and the public. People said that this uprising was full of impact and change to address any issue in their surroundings. This powerful and impactful event must be exhibited in different parts of Pakistan to maximize the impact and message of democratic struggle by Korean people. Korean rescued their country through this uprising which was shared with people of Pakistan and message was well taken. Gwangju uprising in Korea has really changed the mind set of people in Pakistan through the photo exhibition.