Foreign festival delights City of Light

Foreign buskers perform at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 15. / Courtesy of Park Tae-sang

By Arlo Matisz

Wrapping up Gwangju International Week and overlapping with the opening of the city's representative Chungjang Festival, the weekend of Oct. 15 and 16 saw Gwangju International Day, one of its most popular celebrations for foreign residents, stretch into a full weekend of food and fun.

Under clear blue skies, the festive atmosphere warmed by the shining sun, cooking ranges and the hearts of the community stretched around the block at the Asia Culture Center. A gate declaring "Immigration to Global Gwangju" served as a border between the multicultural hub of the International Day celebrations and the boisterous Chungjang Festival next door.

Gwangju International Day festivities are held next to the Chungjang Festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

In the shadow of the ACC's grass-covered Hanul Madang, about a dozen food tents plied their respective countries' wares. The savory aromas of hearty meat and rice dishes mixed with the sweet smells of freshly baked desserts, complimenting the rich palette of colors on display among the booth's different dishes, flags and the attire of their friendly vendors. In all directions were smiles and laughter as they shared their delicacies with the curious and adventurous crowd of both Koreans and foreign nationals.

Between the gate and the food area was a boulevard lined by tents showcasing cultural activities, providing information on foreign services and promoting various humanitarian causes. Artisanal artifacts, maps and flags decorated these tents staffed by friendly volunteers eager to share their countries' cultures with Koreans and foreigners alike.

The gate leading to the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 15 / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

The event was organized by the Gwangju International Center (GIC) and an army of volunteers filling various roles.

"The GIC wants to bring foreign life and different aspects of cultures to Korean people and foreigners living in Korea alike, so the whole idea of the event is to provide an opportunity to experience different cultures, different foods, and different people from different countries," said Kenyan resident Elvis Muhunzu, one of the event's many volunteers.

David Richter, another volunteer from Germany, added, "The GIC has a big presence with the foreign community in Gwangju, but the average Korean person in Gwangju might not know about it. With an event like this, they can experience something international they might not otherwise."

Korea was well-represented in terms of sport and fitness.

"I want to explain taekkyeon and taekwondo to foreigners and Koreans as well," Kim Jae-min, a veteran taekkyeon and taekwondo instructor participating in the festival, said when asked what brought him out for the weekend.

Taekkyeon and taekwondo instructor Kim Jae-min, right, demonstrates a martial art move at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 15. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

Standing behind a table of beautiful polished metal ornaments, Nepali participant Anamika Khanal grinned when asked to share why the Nepal delegation had participated.

"It's a good chance for us to show and display our culture, food and our religion together. It is fun, and it is also promoting our country to a mass of people. That's how we can improve our community," Khanal said.

Pragati Manandhar added, "This is a great opportunity to represent Nepal in the international community."

The Nepal booth at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

While Asian countries and cultures unsurprisingly had strong representation at the festival, there were some surprises as well. Scholarship student Sebastian Paul Benavides Vegas at the Costa Rican booth provided materials supplied by the embassy.

"We are trying to talk about Costa Rica, to explain how it is different from Korea, and offering maps so they can see it," he said, while discussing specific environmental policies relevant to his education.

Sebastian Paul Benavides Vegas works at the Costa Rican booth at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

Europe had representation as well. Melline Galani from the Romania tent represented a lesser-known nation among the local community.

"There is no Romanian community in Gwangju, so we can make ourselves visible and more known to people here, Koreans and foreigners alike," she said.

The Romania tent at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

Gwangju's growing Ukrainian population, fueled by Russia's invasion of their country, was also represented at the event through a cultural display as well as raising funds for medical supplies.

At the culture tent offering handcraft opportunities to interested onlookers, a woman who asked to be identified only by her first name Daria gave her reasons for participation.

"It is important because we represent Ukraine in a time that is hard for us, because of the war. We want to share our culture with other people," she said.

Donations are collected at the Ukraine booth during the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

Moon Natalia, a translator working at Balance Clinic, a medical center in Gwangju's Goryeoin Village, explained in Korean the need for fundraising.

"As you well know, now Ukraine is not at the end of the war. Since the war broke out, many Ukrainians are coming to Korea. But in Korea, Ukrainians have no money and no clothes. Here in the Koryoin village, you are helping Ukrainians a lot. The Goryeoin village provides clothes and money to Ukrainians. That's why I came to this event today to help the Goryeoin Village."

Several services important to foreign residents were also present. Alexander Bolin, an American volunteer at UNESCO KONA, explained the non-profit community organization's role at a tent where its volunteers were reading storybooks to interested children.

"KONA is a collective group of international immigrants who have come to Korea for various reasons," he said. "We provide English language translation and lessons for students who are in need of assistance ― who can't afford it, or are orphaned and need help in that way. Today is important because it's an outreach opportunity."

Participants of the Gwangju International Day festival pose in front of the UNESCO KONA tent, Oct. 15. / Courtesy of Park Tae-sang

A booth was set up for Danuri Helpline, a call center for marriage migrants and multicultural families offering services in 13 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We have professional counselors provide information about daily living, conflict resolution and translation," said Anna Lissa Rubio, a cheery and helpful woman from the Philippines. "Today is very important for us because we really want to help migrants who are victims of family or sexual violence, to give some counseling of what to do, because as foreigners they do not know the law of Korea, so we inform them about the law so that they can ask for help."

Na Seung-pyo, a police officer working in foreign affairs at the city's Dongbu Police Station, offered pamphlets explaining Korean laws in multiple languages, as well as how to report crimes and the waiver of notification of illegal status in the case of reporting crimes. He also gave guidance on applying for criminal record checks in the city.

"In line with the event organized by international exchange, I am participating in this event today to let you know that our police station can provide assistance to foreigners. This certificate proves that foreigners did not commit any crimes in Korea before returning to their own country or moving to another country after completing their life in Korea," he explained in Korean.

Fueled by delicious foreign foods and urged on by diverse music performed by buskers who came to the city for the 1st Buskers World Cup, also held in Gwangju on Oct. 17, thousands of visitors passed through the gate to Global Gwangju this weekend.

Arlo Matisz is an economics professor at Chosun University and the host of GFN's talk show "This Morning Gwangju," which broadcasts from 8:05 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekday mornings.