Gwangju International Center

 

 

Speaker : Ynell Lumantao and Calen Cygan 

Writer : Lee Jueun

Co-Writer : Lee Jueun and Ashlyn Winter

Date: February 14, 2015

 

In celebration of Valentine’s day, we had pretty special GIC TALK related to the “V” character. Ynell Lumantao and Calen Cygan spoke about “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer”, the play they are producing and preforming in, in April.

 

First, the speakers asked a question, ‘What do you think of V-day?’ inviting the audience to participate in the talk and creating an atmosphere of anticipation ready to hear what they had to say. They continued their talk by describing V-day; a worldwide campaign which was created by Eve Ensler in 1998 by interviewing 200 women about their views on sex, relationships and violence against women. V-Day, after originally starting in Seoul, came to Gwangju in 2012. In addition, they asked “What is violence against women?” They defined it as any act that is likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm to women. They went further and said violence against women is global, systematic, a health crisis and cyclical. 

 

Around the world right now, women are dancing and singing to a song to express their opinions about these problems.  instead of fighting and rioting about these kinds of problems, there is a movement to express women’s opinion by singing a song and dancing with people. 

 

Even though Gwangju is somewhat a small city, through other plays and events, these ladies and others involved have managed to raise a lot of money. The money has been given it to different women and children empowerment organizations around the world and in Gwangju such as ‘Our House’ and ‘Women Hotline’.. 

 

So, how you can get involved? The speakers showed specific events, dates, times and what it costs to get involved in supporting women and children who have experience an act of violence in this community. All the proceeds of these events will go to different women empowerment organizations within Gwangju. The first event is happening at The First Alleyway. People will pay 5000 W to enter and play. If you are interested in it, try to go there!

 

As I am a woman, the talk made a really big impression on me. Even though the topic was serious, the speakers kept the atmosphere light and created a balance between the topic, showing statistics, relaying women’s stories and talking about how you can make a small difference by attending events in Gwangju to show your support.