Korean Flag Raised at Boston City Hall Plaza for 81st Liberation Day
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작성자 보스톤 작성일 26-08-22 10:11본문
The City of Boston and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston held a Taegeukgi flag-raising ceremony at Boston City Hall Plaza on the 20th. The City of Boston proclaimed the day as Republic of Korea Day.
(Boston = Boston Korea) by Myungsul Jang — A flag-raising ceremony commemorating the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation was held at noon on the 20th at Boston City Hall Plaza. The Korean Taegeukgi was raised alongside the American flag at the flagpole in front of City Hall, and that evening, Boston City Hall was illuminated in colors symbolizing the Korean flag. The event was attended by Deputy Consul General Kwak Jung-yeol, serving as acting consul general, James Reginald Collimon, Boston's Director of Global Affairs and Protocol, Alexandra Valdez, Boston's Director of Cultural Affairs, as well as members of the Korean-American community, students, and citizens.
Director Valdez read a proclamation from Mayor Michelle Wu. In the proclamation, Mayor Wu acknowledged that "the Korean-American community has greatly contributed to Boston's social, cultural, and economic development and diversity, and the raising of the Taegeukgi symbolizes the unity, resilience, and future aspirations of Korea and Koreans overseas."
Director of Cultural Affairs Alexandra Valdez (center) presents the proclamation to Deputy Consul General Kwak Jung-yeol, acting consul general, after reading Mayor Michelle Wu's proclamation.
Mayor Wu also expressed hope that "this event will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom and independence, and efforts toward world peace and prosperity," and proclaimed August 20, 2026, as "Republic of Korea Day" in the City of Boston. Accordingly, the city's Property Management Department raised the Taegeukgi at the third flagpole in City Hall Plaza, replacing the Boston city flag.
Acting Deputy Consul General Kwak said, "Seeing the Taegeukgi flying at the heart of Boston City Hall is deeply moving," adding, "81 years ago, Korea broke free from colonial rule and regained its freedom, and during the Korean War, young Americans including those from Massachusetts and Boston crossed the Pacific to defend that freedom."
Kwak noted that Korea, once one of the poorest countries in the world, has grown into a vibrant democracy, a major economy, a technology leader, and a global cultural hub. "Korea's journey was never achieved by our strength alone," he said. "We remember the United States, which fought for Korea's freedom and stood with us during the reconstruction process."
He emphasized that the U.S.-Korea alliance, which began on the battlefields of the Korean War, has expanded to trade and investment, advanced technology, semiconductors, shipbuilding, energy, artificial intelligence, and more. "If 76 years ago the United States crossed the Pacific when Korea desperately needed help, today Korea is ready to build America's future together," he said, expressing hope that the Taegeukgi would symbolize the freedom, friendship, and forward-looking alliance between the two countries.
Director Collimon stated that the City of Boston celebrates the cultures and histories of various nations to provide a sense of belonging to residents of all cultural backgrounds.
"Many Koreans have worked for the City of Boston for a long time," he said. "Mayor Wu wants to make it clear that everyone, no matter where they come from in the world, has a place in Boston." He added, "The more we share each other's cultures, the better we understand and respect one another," emphasizing that "connections between people are more important than anything else."
This year's flag-raising ceremony was held five days later than the actual August 15 Liberation Day, which marks the 81st anniversary. Director Collimon explained that the date was adjusted to the 20th to allow more people to participate, considering scheduling conflicts with other events around Liberation Day and the fact that the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston was in the midst of a change in consul general.
At the event, vocalist Yang Na-rae performed solo renditions of the American national anthem and the Korean national anthem Aegukga. Attendees took group photos in front of the Taegeukgi, and after the ceremony, participants and city officials shared a Korean meal together.
The Taegeukgi is raised as soprano Yang Na-rae performs the Korean national anthem Aegukga.
Nilton, a Brazilian-American Boston resident passing by the event, also stopped to watch the ceremony. "In Brazil, we also celebrate our flag and independence in September," he said. "It's important to remember where you come from. I have Korean coworkers and I like Korea, so I wanted to celebrate together."
The Boston City Hall Taegeukgi flag-raising ceremony was first held for Liberation Day in 2024 at the suggestion of a Korean intern student and has continued annually since. This year's event was organized through collaboration between the City of Boston and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston.
[email protected]
Director Valdez read a proclamation from Mayor Michelle Wu. In the proclamation, Mayor Wu acknowledged that "the Korean-American community has greatly contributed to Boston's social, cultural, and economic development and diversity, and the raising of the Taegeukgi symbolizes the unity, resilience, and future aspirations of Korea and Koreans overseas."
Director of Cultural Affairs Alexandra Valdez (center) presents the proclamation to Deputy Consul General Kwak Jung-yeol, acting consul general, after reading Mayor Michelle Wu's proclamation.Mayor Wu also expressed hope that "this event will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom and independence, and efforts toward world peace and prosperity," and proclaimed August 20, 2026, as "Republic of Korea Day" in the City of Boston. Accordingly, the city's Property Management Department raised the Taegeukgi at the third flagpole in City Hall Plaza, replacing the Boston city flag.
Acting Deputy Consul General Kwak said, "Seeing the Taegeukgi flying at the heart of Boston City Hall is deeply moving," adding, "81 years ago, Korea broke free from colonial rule and regained its freedom, and during the Korean War, young Americans including those from Massachusetts and Boston crossed the Pacific to defend that freedom."
Kwak noted that Korea, once one of the poorest countries in the world, has grown into a vibrant democracy, a major economy, a technology leader, and a global cultural hub. "Korea's journey was never achieved by our strength alone," he said. "We remember the United States, which fought for Korea's freedom and stood with us during the reconstruction process."
He emphasized that the U.S.-Korea alliance, which began on the battlefields of the Korean War, has expanded to trade and investment, advanced technology, semiconductors, shipbuilding, energy, artificial intelligence, and more. "If 76 years ago the United States crossed the Pacific when Korea desperately needed help, today Korea is ready to build America's future together," he said, expressing hope that the Taegeukgi would symbolize the freedom, friendship, and forward-looking alliance between the two countries.
Director Collimon stated that the City of Boston celebrates the cultures and histories of various nations to provide a sense of belonging to residents of all cultural backgrounds.
"Many Koreans have worked for the City of Boston for a long time," he said. "Mayor Wu wants to make it clear that everyone, no matter where they come from in the world, has a place in Boston." He added, "The more we share each other's cultures, the better we understand and respect one another," emphasizing that "connections between people are more important than anything else."
This year's flag-raising ceremony was held five days later than the actual August 15 Liberation Day, which marks the 81st anniversary. Director Collimon explained that the date was adjusted to the 20th to allow more people to participate, considering scheduling conflicts with other events around Liberation Day and the fact that the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston was in the midst of a change in consul general.
At the event, vocalist Yang Na-rae performed solo renditions of the American national anthem and the Korean national anthem Aegukga. Attendees took group photos in front of the Taegeukgi, and after the ceremony, participants and city officials shared a Korean meal together.
The Taegeukgi is raised as soprano Yang Na-rae performs the Korean national anthem Aegukga.Nilton, a Brazilian-American Boston resident passing by the event, also stopped to watch the ceremony. "In Brazil, we also celebrate our flag and independence in September," he said. "It's important to remember where you come from. I have Korean coworkers and I like Korea, so I wanted to celebrate together."
The Boston City Hall Taegeukgi flag-raising ceremony was first held for Liberation Day in 2024 at the suggestion of a Korean intern student and has continued annually since. This year's event was organized through collaboration between the City of Boston and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston.
[email protected]
Original Korean article: https://bostonkorea.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=46477
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