Expanding Access to Cultural Heritage
Supporting Multicultural Families' Integration into the Community
Shinan County held a traditional first birthday party for multicultural families on the 29th of last month at the Shinan County Family Center. Photo by Shinan County
Shinan County in South Jeolla Province held a traditional first birthday party event for multicultural families in island regions at the Shinan County Family Center on August 29, in cooperation with the National Heritage Promotion Agency.
According to the county on September 1, the event was designed to provide opportunities to experience national heritage to socially and geographically disadvantaged groups who have limited access to cultural experiences.
Since last year, the National Heritage Promotion Agency has been running the "Traditional Wedding and First Birthday Support Project for Socially Disadvantaged Groups." This year, the agency expanded the program nationwide and is operating the "Visiting First Birthday Party" initiative. The Shinan County event was particularly meaningful as it was organized through close collaboration between the agency and the local government.
The center reached out to families with one-year-old children who are considered socially disadvantaged through phone calls and in-person visits. Ultimately, two families of Vietnamese marriage immigrants residing in Jido-eup and Imja-myeon participated in the event.
The first birthday celebration followed the traditional "doljabi" ritual, wishing for the children's health and bright future. When the children picked up a bow and a judge's gavel, attendees shared laughter and blessings, creating a special moment of significance.
Lee Guyoung, President of the National Heritage Promotion Agency, stated, "It is meaningful to be able to support families in celebrating their child's first birthday without cultural barriers," adding, "We will continue to expand opportunities to enjoy national heritage through related projects."
Kim Daein, Acting Mayor of Shinan County, said, "I hope this event will provide practical support for the stable settlement of multicultural families in island regions," and added, "We will continue to strengthen administrative support so that various families can live stable lives."
The center plans to continue expanding cultural communication programs where multicultural families and local residents can come together, actively supporting the integration of multicultural families into the local community.
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