Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil & Myeongdong Uju Beer Festival Held

[Seoul District News] Seongbuk-gu to Host 14th Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil on the 25th at Seongbuk-dong Street & Over 40 Booths Featuring Embassies and Local Shops from 40+ Countries Concentrated in Seongbuk-dong ...Jung-gu to Hold Space Beer Festival on Myeongdong-ro Area from 23rd to 24th with 10+ Craft Beer Tastings and Beer Personality Tests ...Gwangjin-gu to Host 11th Gwangnaru Eoulmadang on the 24th at Cheonho-daero Tunnel Upper Gwangjin Supnaru ...Dongdaemun-gu, 27th at 10 AM Yong

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) will hold the 'Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil' on the streets of Seongbuk-dong on the 25th. It is the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in its 14th year, the 'Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil' is an event where people can experience the culture of various countries through their cuisines, savoring cultural diversity. It is one of Seongbuk-gu's representative festivals, attracting about 50,000 participants annually.

After the massive COVID-19 outbreak, the festival was held with the concept of 'mental quarantine,' conducting various online and offline campaigns with residents. This year, it finally returns as a festival to restore the joy of everyday life after three years, drawing much attention and expectation.

Seongbuk-gu is home to embassies from over 40 countries, and a distinctive feature of the 'Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil' is that these embassies participate to showcase their national cuisines. This year, in addition to foods presented directly by the embassies, about 40 food booths prepared by various local shops and organizations in Seongbuk-gu are ready to captivate visitors' eyes and palates.

Moreover, about 30 experiential programs and a flea market are arranged so that the whole family can enjoy the festival. On the streets of Seongbuk-dong, performances and parades featuring dances and music from various countries will continue.

The 14th Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil will especially practice zero waste to conduct a healthy and safe festival in the era of climate crisis. All food sold on-site will be served in reusable containers, which citizens can return after use. Items purchased by visitors will be packed in recycled plastic bags collected in advance. Festival souvenirs are also prepared, including notebooks made from discarded posters and solid dish soaps that do not generate microplastics.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “Seongbuk-gu, with over 40 embassies concentrated and the highest number of universities nationwide, has a high proportion of international students. Through the World Food Festival Nurimasil, we hope it becomes an opportunity to naturally embrace global tastes and cultures and to spread cultural diversity.” He added, “As it is a representative local festival visited by tens of thousands, we are making every effort to ensure safety.”

For more details about the 14th Seongbuk World Food Festival Nurimasil, please check the Nurimasil website.

Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-sung) announced that the ‘2022 Myeongdong Space Beer Festival,’ where visitors can enjoy various beers and music together, will be held from the 23rd to the 24th along Myeongdong-ro (from Myeongdong National Theater to Noon Square).

This event, held for the first time this year to revitalize tourism in the Myeongdong area, is hosted by the Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone Council and The Starlight Brewing, organized by Heyway, and sponsored by Jung-gu, Seoul.

The event features an unexpected combination that has become a hot topic: space and beer meeting in Myeongdong to create a unique 'chemistry.' The lively imagination behind the festival is that Myeongdong, which has led the latest trends for the past 100 years, and beer, which has evolved and been loved worldwide, share a connection with space. Unlike traditional beer festivals, this is an urban beer festival focusing on exploring the infinite value of beer.

To fully enjoy the fun this combination offers and to feel the ‘space’ vibe in Myeongdong, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the programs held at the venue in advance.

Exciting experiences include the ‘Mactiverse Exploration,’ where visitors can explore booths offering tastings of about 10 types of craft beer; the ‘Beer Personality Research Institute,’ which recommends beers suited to one’s personality through a beer personality test (Beer BTI); and the ‘Mactiverse Story Archive,’ where visitors write answers on cards received during tastings and take photos.

Additionally, a space-themed lounge called the Space Lounge and photo zones decorated with exploration and adventure concepts add to visitors’ enjoyment.

No festival is complete without performances. On the main stage, popular musicians such as Big One, Syns, Lil Boi, Dal Soobin, and Tabber will perform, along with DJing of various genres including hip-hop and EDM, heightening the festival atmosphere.

Kim Gil-sung, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “We hope that Myeongdong, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, will regain vitality through this event.” He added, “On an autumn night, people can enjoy beer and performances with their loved ones and create unforgettable memories.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) will hold the ‘11th Gwangnaru Eoulmadang’ on the 24th at Gwangjin Supnaru, a park built above the Cheonho-daero tunnel.

Gwangnaru Eoulmadang is a festival where Gwangjin residents gather to harmonize and communicate, and this year it will be held under the theme ‘Happy Gwangjin Grand Festival.’

The event will run from 3 PM to 7 PM, divided into Part 1, the ‘27th Residents’ Day Ceremony,’ and Part 2, the ‘Neighborhood Singing Contest.’

Part 1, the ‘Residents’ Day Ceremony,’ will begin with the reading of the Residents’ Charter, followed by an awards ceremony. It will be an occasion where Mayor Kim Kyung-ho, city and district council members, guests, and residents express gratitude and boost pride by honoring organizations and individuals who have contributed to the development of Gwangjin-gu and served as role models.

In Part 2, the Neighborhood Singing Contest, representatives from 15 neighborhoods selected through preliminary judging will showcase their talents and share excitement and rhythm with the residents.

Comedian Jung Eun-sook will host the event, and during Part 2, trot singer Jung Dong-won and singer Chae-yeon will perform congratulatory shows, adding to the festive energy.

On one side of the venue, a food market operated by the Gwangjin-gu Saemaul Women’s Association will be set up. Since the use of open flames is prohibited at the venue, only pre-prepared foods such as gimbap will be sold, minimizing the use of disposable items to create an eco-friendly festival environment.

Gwangjin Supnaru, where the festival is held, is a park located between Achasan Reservoir Park and Guui Baseball Park, above the Cheonho-daero tunnel connected to Achasan.

The park is filled with charming spaces such as the Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the Han River and Achasan, the Fortress Story Trail, Naru Waterfall, Forest Maru, Supnaru Trail, Water Mist Garden, Sansuwon, and Naru Yard, adding sights and attractions to the Gwangnaru Eoulmadang festival.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu said, “Through this festival, we hope to offer comfort to residents going through difficult times and create a moment for Gwangjin-gu to come together as a happy community.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) will hold the ‘31st Dongdaemun Residents’ Day’ commemorative event at 10 AM on the 27th at Yongdu Neighborhood Park (opposite Dongdaemun-gu Office) to foster pride and attachment to the area and create a place for residents to unite.

About 500 people, including local members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, heads of institutions and organizations, and residents, will participate in this commemorative event. It will feature a commemorative speech by Mayor Lee Pil-hyung, congratulatory speeches by local National Assembly members and the Dongdaemun District Council chairman, and a congratulatory video message from the head of a sister city institution.

Additionally, the ‘Resident Awards Ceremony’ will be held, awarding a total of 14 people across seven categories (Proud Resident Award, Parents’ Award, Filial Piety Award, Volunteer Award, Model Youth Award, Disabled Person Award, Multicultural Family Award), with one grand prize and one gold prize per category.

Following this, the Black Queens resident performance team (Nanta) and Cheongryong Dance Troupe (folk performance) will present congratulatory performances, and the district women’s choir will sing a celebratory song. Notably, the event’s MC will be Choi Wan-jung, a talent and singer who is also a Dongdaemun-gu public relations ambassador, drawing attention.

This year’s commemorative event will be held simply due to administrative audits and the impact of COVID-19.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyung of Dongdaemun-gu said, “Under the clear autumn sky, we have prepared a rare opportunity for residents to gather and be together.” He added, “Leaving behind the past two years of pause, we hope this will be a chance to meet neighbors face-to-face, share stories, enjoy the ceremony together, and enhance affection and pride for the community.”