A place that heals with new hope beyond the pain of history,
Standing on the May Road!
We provide systematic guide services to visitors of the May 18 historical sites and develop various May cultural contents for operating diverse experiential programs.
All over the roads of Gwangju, our lives before and after May 1980 are layered like tree rings. Painful memories, memories that move our hearts—these are all traces of our lives. Following the traces of May, you can discover traces of culture, history, art, and people. For us, May is like that. The May Road (5·18 Road) is a series of 18 walking tours connecting Gwangju's unique historical resources, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, and cultural tourism resources in Gwangju, based on five themes. The May Road (5·18 Road) begins with the citizens of Gwangju's desire for democratization in May 1980. On the road where that desire began, new aspirations are now beginning to sprout. By discovering the memories and traces of May that were so familiar and often overlooked, and by talking about the May we couldn't speak of before, we can rediscover May. A 'road' is an open path, a medium that connects the world and oneself, or oneself and others.
May Road Story
In Gwangju, 29 historical sites of the May 18 Democratic Uprising are connected with historical and cultural resources throughout Gwangju, forming 19 courses with five themes. Walking the May Road, you will encounter a special experience where you can feel the living history, present, and future of Gwangju.
- May Human Rights Road Theme: A path to the historical sites imbued with the aspirations of the May 18 Democratic Uprising
- May People's Road Theme: A path discovering the footsteps of citizens who fervently rallied at May Square
- May Spirit Road Theme: A path to communicate with the history of the May spirit
- May Art Road Theme: A path healing the memories of May through Gwangju's culture and arts
- May Namdo Road Theme: A path meeting new journeys following the spirit of May
May Road Statistics (2012 ~ 2023)
Number of May Guides Deployed
8,931 people
Number of May Road Guide Sessions
4,611 sessions
Number of May Road Visitors
216,920 people
May Road Guide: May Road Guide Interpreter 'May Keeper'
Citizens visiting the historical sites related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, such as the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, Mangwol-dong Cemetery, May 18 Freedom Park, and May 18 Memorial Park, can meet the May Road guide interpreter 'May Keeper'. With the May Keeper, you can hear vivid stories of the May 18 Democratic Uprising at the actual sites.
May Keeper
The May Road guide interpreter May Keeper is a friend and proud historian informing citizens about the history and truth of May. May Keepers are selected from citizens who have completed the required training course to acquire the ability to guide, and they handle various guide activities received through the May Road website.
May Road U-Road (Website)
By visiting the May Road website (http://518road.518.org), you can use the guide reservation system and obtain related materials such as May Road news, guidebooks, and maps.
Project-Related Photos
