Demonstrating Commitment to Building a Sustainable City Centered on Cultural Coexistence and Inclusion
Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam announced that the 19th Cultural Diversity Festival MAMF will be held for three days from October 11 to 13 at Yongji Culture Park, Seongsan Art Hall Grand Auditorium, and along Jungang-daero.
MAMF is the largest festival in Korea dedicated to cultural diversity, organized by Gyeongsangnam-do, Changwon City, Gyeongnam Migrant Workers Welfare Center, and Changwon Cultural Foundation, and hosted by the MAMF Organizing Committee, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Employment and Labor.
This year, MAMF celebrates the 75th anniversary of Korea-Philippines diplomatic relations, with the Philippines selected as the guest country. The festival will feature participants from a record 21 countries, as well as international students from 15 universities nationwide, migrant workers, and marriage immigrants.
Notably, Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea, will serve as co-chair of the organizing committee?the first time an ambassador in Korea has taken on this role?raising expectations for a more sophisticated event through close cooperation with the guest country.
This year’s MAMF, under the theme ‘Together to Gather (A Festival for Global Citizens)’, will present a variety of vibrant programs.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy and experience the Global Food Street, promotional and experience booths by country (15 countries), traditional goods bazaar from various countries, and a flea market featuring domestic handicrafts.
The daily schedule includes: Day 1 (October 11) Opening Ceremony (special performance by the Bayanihan National Dance Company of the Philippines), opening celebration performance (singer Insooni, drone show, etc.); Day 2 (October 12) World Citizen Together Festival (family sports day, world food feast), MAMF Dance Festival; Day 3 (October 13) Cultural Diversity Parade.
Especially on Day 3, known as the highlight of the festival, the event will conclude with unique MAMF programs such as Migrants Arirang (a festival within a festival featuring simultaneous performances and games from 15 countries), a street parade, and a world music concert featuring top musicians from around the globe, including Horizon.
Oh Sumi, Head of Population Policy, stated, “As Korea became the first Asian nation to officially enter the status of a ‘multiracial and multicultural country’ this past April, our city is striving to create a sustainable city focused on inclusion and coexistence among different cultures. We hope that many citizens will enjoy MAMF, the festival that best embodies the value of cultural diversity.”
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