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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