City to Hold 'International Day of the World's People' on May 24 at Citizens' Hall
Experience the Cultures and Foods of 15 Countries in One Place
On May 21, Gwangju City announced that it will hold a ceremony to commemorate the 18th International Day of the World's People at 11 a.m. on May 24 in the Citizens' Hall on the first floor of City Hall.
The International Day of the World's People (May 20) was established as a national commemorative day in 2007 to foster a social environment in which foreign residents in Korea and Korean citizens respect each other's cultures and traditions and live together harmoniously.
This year's event will be held in conjunction with the 60th Citizens' Day and will bring together a diverse group of participants, including Mayor Kang Gijung, City Council Chairperson Shin Sujeong, Superintendent of Education Lee Jeongseon, officials from foreign diplomatic missions in Korea, foreign workers, international students, multicultural families, overseas Koreans, and local citizens.
The ceremony will begin with a pre-event performance featuring traditional Cambodian dance, followed by commemorative speeches, awards for distinguished contributors, a performance to promote Gwangju as an inclusive city, and post-event performances such as Indian Bollywood dance.
At the venue, more than 30 booths will offer experiences with games, food, and clothing from 15 countries around the world. Traditional costumes from Mongolia, Vietnam, and Koryoin, Indian henna tattoos, Canadian carrot cake, and Romanian apple bread will be introduced. A photo zone will be available, and from 3 p.m., traditional music performances from various countries will be held.
In particular, the embassies of Cambodia and the Philippines will provide consular services such as passport issuance for foreign residents attending the event, while support organizations such as the Migrant Health Center will offer on-site counseling for grievances, providing practical assistance.
Migrants enrolled in the Ministry of Justice's social integration program can receive up to four hours of credit for attending the event. Participants simply need to submit the certificate issued at the event to their educational institution.
Lee Youngdong, Director of the Department of Women and Family, said, "This event is a cultural festival jointly prepared and created by citizens and migrants," and added, "We hope that the International Day of the World's People, held together with Gwangju Citizens' Day, will be a meaningful time to understand and respect each other's cultures."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
