DAEJEON — The creativity and artistic talents of local youth took center stage on Tuesday as the city hosted its annual special aptitude showcase for regional children's centers.

Organized by the Daejeon Support Center for Regional Children's Centers, the event drew an audience of approximately 600 attendees, including facility staff, families, and community members, to the main auditorium of Daejeon City Hall.

Children participating in the program delivered dynamic performances ranging from live band music and musical theater to choral singing and K-pop broadcast dance. The stage acts were the culmination of months of preparation guided by dedicated instructors and center staff, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In addition to the live performances, the event featured a companion art exhibition held at the City Hall Exhibition Room from November 5 to 10. The gallery displayed hand-crafted artwork and detailed calligraphy pieces created directly by participating children, adding a visual arts dimension to the celebration.

The underlying initiative, known as the Green Pen program, was launched by the Daejeon Metropolitan Government in 2015. The municipal project dispatches specialized arts and physical education instructors to regional children's centers, ensuring that children from underprivileged backgrounds have equitable access to extracurricular enrichment and the opportunity to pursue their creative aspirations.

"We hope this event acts as a meaningful stepping stone for our young participants to expand their creativity and develop into well-rounded individuals," said Lee Sun-min, Director-General of Welfare for Daejeon City. "The city remains committed to listening to frontline feedback and expanding support so our children can continue making joyful memories."

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