"Cultural Exchange Through Food"... 'ASEAN Food Culture Festival' Held from 28th to 29th

A gathering will be held to share food, understand the different cultures of Korea and ASEAN countries, and promote mutual exchange.

Provided by the National Natural Recreation Forest Management Office

The Korea National Arboretum announced on the 27th that it will hold the '6th ASEAN Food Culture Festival' from the 28th to 29th at the National ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest located in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do.

The festival has been held annually since 2019 with the purpose of promoting friendship and cultural exchange between Korea and ASEAN countries.

The main content of the festival is to invite families from ASEAN member countries living in Korea to experience traditional foods and cultures of both countries.

This year, 10 families (about 40 people) from ASEAN member countries will participate in the festival. During the festival, participants will enjoy making Korean food, showcasing ASEAN cuisine, experiencing traditional Korean games, forest cultural performances, and ASEAN films provided by the ASEAN Cultural Center.

Exterior view of accommodation facilities within the ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest, built in the style of traditional Indonesian houses. Provided by the National Natural Recreation Forest Management Office.

The ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest, where the festival will be held, was established in 2009 to commemorate the 'Korea-ASEAN Special Summit' and to promote continuous forest cooperation and friendship with ASEAN countries.

Opened in 2015, the ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest currently operates 16 facilities modeled after traditional houses of the 10 ASEAN countries, such as the Forest Houses.

Kim Myung-jong, Director of the National Arboretum, said, "We will enhance the on-site programs to make the festival a place for cultural exchange between Korea and ASEAN member countries," and added, "We hope that ASEAN families will create good memories of Korea through the festival."