On September 22, Gwangju Dong-gu District announced that it will designate October 16, the second day of the 22nd Gwangju Chungjang Festival, as "Asia Culture Day." On this day, the Geumnam-ro area will be transformed into a venue for cultural exchange, where cultures from across Asia come together.
"Asia Culture Day," planned to leverage the district's unique characteristics as home to the National Asia Culture Center, is expected to go beyond a simple event and offer a special journey where cultures and people meet, transcending physical boundaries.
The district has spent the entire year preparing for "Asia Culture Day." From close cooperation with Asian communities to inviting authentic culinary experts and performance teams, every step has been dedicated to authenticity, ensuring visitors can experience the culture and flavors of each country without leaving Gwangju. Local chefs will prepare the food themselves, and key ingredients will be imported from their countries of origin to present the genuine tastes of Asia.
The "Asia Culture Street," which recreates the vibrant night markets of Southeast Asia at Geumnam-ro 2-ga, will feature a variety of Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese Banh Xeo, Indian Tandoori Chicken, Russian Shashlik, and Japanese Takoyaki. What makes this event even more special is that international students and immigrants living in Gwangju, along with local universities, will participate directly, introducing the "real flavors of Asia" filled with memories of home and life experiences.
In addition to culinary delights, a diverse array of attractions will captivate visitors. On the main stage, from 4 to 6 p.m., the "K-Beauty Hair Show" and "K-Beauty Hanbok Show" will showcase the beauty of Korea to the world. From 7 to 10 p.m., the "Asia Culture Show" will feature traditional performances from various countries, including Mongolian traditional music, Chinese Shaolin martial arts, and Japanese Yosakoi Soranbushi, heating up the festival night.
Furthermore, in front of Jeonil Building 245 at Geumnam-ro 1-ga, a giant board game inspired by Blue Marble will be set up, allowing visitors to roll dice and complete Asia-themed missions. Major landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Forbidden City will also be recreated as photo zones.
"Asia Culture Day" serves as a stage to showcase Gwangju's inclusiveness and openness, where different cultures do not clash but harmonize, creating new cultures and values.
Starting next year, the district plans to further develop the "Asia Culture Day" program in collaboration with various organizations, including the National Asia Culture Center, the International Exchange Center, and family centers in each local district.
District Mayor Lim Taek stated, "We expect the synergy created by the 22 years of experience from the Chungjang Festival and Dong-gu's infrastructure as an Asian cultural hub, including the National Asia Culture Center, to be remarkable. I hope everyone enjoys this special opportunity to travel to 10 Asian countries in a single day without ever boarding a plane."
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