Han Sung Motor, the largest official dealer of Mercedes-Benz in South Korea, held a lantern-lighting ceremony Thursday as part of its collaborative public art project with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture.

A public art projected titled “Sowon Bandi” was designed to invite citizens to write their personal wishes and dreams on each of 5,000 solar-power lanterns, donating 10,000 won ($8.50) for each one.

The ceremony was attended by the heads of the two sponsors -- Han Sung Motor CEO Ulf Ausprung and SFAC CEO Kim Jong-hui -- as well as Dream Gream scholarship recipients.

“We have been working together (on public art projects) for eight years. (These projects) add beauty and value to the city of Seoul. We will continue making such efforts in the future,” Ausprung said during a ceremony.

Han Sung Motor donated 50 million won for the project as well as additional costs for a series of barrier-free performances to be held.

The “Sowon Bandi” artworks will be displayed on the streets near the palace Deoksugung in Seoul through Dec. 26.

(ddd@heraldcorp.com)