Sunday, December 15, 2013

Koreatown Pavilion Celebration Pres Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


KOREATOWN UNVEILS ITS FIRST CULTURAL LANDMARK
The community celebrates the opening of the Koreatown Pavilion Garden

By Ariel Blaustein
January 14, 2006

Los Angeles, CA – Korean Americans gathered on Friday to celebrate the opening of the Koreatown Pavilion Garden, the community’s first cultural landmark.  Located at Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue, the 5,000-square-foot traditional pavilion and garden was unveiled during a celebration attended by city officials, diplomats, community leaders and Koreatown residents.

The ceremony was held Friday because Congress declared it Korean American Day, just last month. Participants of the celebration listened to Korean folk music played by a band louder than traffic.  Attendees also enjoyed Korean rice cakes studded with crushed, sweetened beans.

In attendance was Stephan Haah, chairman of the Korean American Political Empowerment Committee of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles.

He said, “This monument is a symbol of the cultural, economic and political growth of the Korean American Community. Koreatown Pavilion Garden not only enriches the Korean American Community but other communities in Los Angeles.”

Known as Da Wool Jung, meaning harmonious gathering place, was built by South Korean craftsmen. It took five years of crafting, fundraising and work. Made of pine and dyed in traditional shades of green, rust and red, the open-air pavilion is topped by an unswept tied roof and contains a seating area open to the public. The overall project cost $695,000. Organizers raised the money in private and public funds, and the city provided the site.

Koreatown is a vibrant, densely populated community located in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles. The Koreatown Pavilion is located on West Olympic Boulevard and Irolo Street. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-8pm. Admission is free.
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Media Contact
Ariel Blaustein

ablaustein@temple.edu

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