The 7th of 21 street lamps installed as part of Mischa Kuball’s Solidarity Grid. Its installation was celebrated in November 2014.

The Songpa streetlamp has been donated by Songpa-gu, not only as a gesture of solidarity during our recovery and rebuild process, but as recognition of 20 years of the Christchurch Songpa-gu Sister City relationship.

On 10 February 1995, Christchurch and Songpa-gu officially became Sister Cities, after the idea was suggested by New Zealand’s Honorary Consul to Korea, Clyde Sugden during a visit to Songpa in 1993. This Songpa streetlamp unveiling on 29 November 2014 marked the 20 year anniversary of our Sister City relationship.

Songpa-gu, one of 25 autonomous districts of Seoul, is located in south-eastern Seoul and has a population of 610,000. It is known both as a ‘City of Culture’ for its many sculptures, traditional and modern performances, and musicals; and as a ‘City of Water’ as it is surrounded by four streams; the Han River, the redeveloped Seongnaecheon stream, Jangji stream and Tan stream, the city centre also features the Seokchon Lake which provides a lush green, peaceful environment.