KARP Chwita Band Parade at Seoul Children’s Grand Park

The Korea Association of Retired Persons (Representative: Juch Myong-Yong) held a parade performance by the Senior Cultural Arts Chwita Band on October 8 at Children’s Grand Park in Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

The first part of the event began at 2 p.m. at the park’s rear gate and proceeded about 340 meters to the Octagonal Pavilion. Under the direction of leader Lee Chun-hwa, the 16-member Chwita Band filled the air with the powerful sounds of traditional Korean instruments, drawing the attention of visitors who stopped to watch. The second part of the parade started at 3 p.m. from the main gate, continued through the Fountain Plaza, and concluded in front of the large electronic display board.

The Senior Cultural Arts Chwita Band, composed of traditional Korean instruments such as horns, drums, janggu (hourglass drums), and conch shells, performed lively folk tunes that received an enthusiastic response from children and families. The Association also set up photo zones throughout the venue, allowing visitors to take commemorative photos with the band. In fact, many children rushed to pose with the performers, creating a joyful scene.

Through this parade, the Korea Association of Retired Persons aims to develop it into a representative tourist attraction of Seoul—similar to the royal guard changing ceremony at Deoksugung Palace—while also establishing it as a new model for senior culture. In particular, by combining the traditional Chwita Band with the rock band Heydays in its Cultural Arts activities, the Association plans to build the “K-SENIOR” cultural brand and actively promote the social participation of senior artists.