Azaleas are ubiquitous on the Korean Peninsula. These flowers are some of the first to bloom in early spring. Their persistent vitality is deeply linked to Korean emotions, especially deep sorrow.
For this reason, the song “Azalea,” written by Kim So-wol in 1922, while the country was under Japanese colonization, is like a national anthem. The azalea itself seems identifiable with Korea, Koreans and Koreanness. It is one of most commonly recited poems in the nation.
When you leave,weary of me,without a word I shall gently let you go.From Mount Yakin Yongbyon,I shall gather armfuls of azaleasand scatter them on your way.
Step by stepon the flowers placed before youtread lightly, softly as you go.
When you leave,weary of me,though I die, I'll not let one tear fall.
During the mid-1970s, I was a middle-school student. When I hiked four kilometers or so over a low mountain, I would recite this poem. Azaleas would appear there as early as March because the mountain was bare and had no trees. On my way home from school, I would pick up azalea petals and eat them with my friends.
At that time, most of the mountains were bare. Villagers had cut down many of the trees to use as firewood.
Later, villagers used anthracite for fuel in their kitchens instead of wood. A reforestation project begun before the 1988 Seoul Olympics led to dense plantings of trees in the mountains. With so many trees, it was no longer easy for citizens to see the azalea flowers and colonies.
Since 1993, an azalea festival has been held in Mount Yeongchwi in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. The azalea colony there is huge and spreads along the ridge of the mountain.
"Sansinryeongje," a Korean mountain-spirit ritual, was held on the last weekend of March. Visitors, including foreigners, walked around taking photos of the pink flowers. They also enjoyed observing the numerous structures of the Yeosu Industrial Complex, set against the blue sky and wide sea.
Source: Korea Times News
