Born in Haenam in 1948, Jung-Hee was a social activist, passionately engaged in the democratization movement, as well as the liberation of women and marginalized groups. Her writing career produced a number of poetic works. As a leading Korean feminist poet, Jung-Hee worked as the first editor-in-chief of the Women's News and was an active member of the Alternative Culture association. She was a devout Christian, and devoted her life to grassroots organisations and feminism. A mountain hiking accident on Mount Chiri in June 1991 brought an untimely death to this beloved poet.

 

It has been 14 years since the Alternative Culture association organized the first Goh Jung-Hee Memorial Trip to Haenam on the anniversary of her death. The group soon expanded with the influx of women who had read her poetry and young girls who didn't even know about her. The trip has become a symbolic feminine activity, transcending the regional differences and generation gap. Alternative Culture is pleased to have this year's World Women's Studies Conference participants along for the Goh Jung-Hee Memorial Trip. The participation of these international women will give deeper significance to this year's memorial, as they transcend regional and state boundaries.

The trip 

 

includes a rare performance of the‘Jindo Ssitgimgut’, a traditional shaman ritual to appease the spirit of the deceased and thereby help it have a peaceful eternal rest in the next world. This ritual is a valuable piece of women's cultural heritage, through which the remorse and suffering of women can be transformed. We will visit Goh Jung-Hee's house and the nearby grave in her hometown of Haenam. A replica of her writing desk sits in her study. We will listen to other female poets who shared literary activities with her, giving us a glimpse into her artistic soul. We will have the hands-on opportunity to learn a traditional cloth-dyeing technique at the historic temple of Mihwangsa.

In the evening, we will gather for a great celebration of feminism and social equality with the other participants. For dinner, the traditional ‘southern full course meal’ will be served, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The Goh Jung-Hee Memorial Trip will be the final cap to your stay in Korea, providing a time to share our sisterly love and world solidarity.

Choi Yi Yunjung, Secretary General, Alternative Culture

Alternative Culture presents a women-themed travel itinerary: 

Date: June 25 - 27, 2005 (3 days, 2 nights) 

Cost: KRW 100,000 (or USD 100), travel insurance included

How to Apply: Use the homepage

Homepage: www.tomoon.org/travel

Tel: 82-2-322-7946, ext. 201

E-mail: ttomoon@tomoon.org