This article is written for the promotion of Incheon Asian Games 2014
Itaewon is the paradise
of foreigners in Korea. It can be called as the little world village in Korea.
Especially on weekends you may be surprised to see that Itaewon doesn’t looks
like a Korean city rather it seems like a place of mixed cultures. People from
all around the globe can be seen here. It is therefore a main tourist
attraction where you can find cultural stuff and foods of every nation. Itaewon
global festival is arranged every year to promote the mixed culture of Itaewon
and to bring harmony, peace, love and respect for every culture since 2008. It
has grown to become the representative culture festival of Seoul.
The Itaewon Global
Village Festival, held every fall, brings together a fun coated with Korean traditions
and foreign cultures in Itaewon Special Tour Zone (Itaewon Station ~
Noksapyeong Station). It is indeed an
eccentric multicultural event where people learn about and experience different
philosophies of life. A number of proceedings take place during the festival
inaugurating with an opening ceremony, performances of traditional dance from
home and abroad as well as the Global Food Festival which runs throughout the
weekend.
2013 Itaewon Global
Village Festival took place from October 12 ~13. This was a unique opportunity
to experience diverse cultures in one place. The festival was free for everyone
visiting Itaewon during the festival’s two-day run. Major programs included in
this event were, a large-scale parade featuring each country’s national costume
and traditional performances, a global food zone, a display of world
institutions and customs, and hands-on activities on traditional folk games of
the world.
It was a nice
opportunity for me to explore the traditions & cultures of various
countries, Itaewon’s foreign culture and invigorate Itaewon area and
attractions during 2013 Itaewon Global Village Festival. The World Culture
Festival parade was held on October 12th. This large scale parade was joined by
29 teams and over 700 people were part of this parade from Hangangjin Station
to Noksapyeong Station through Itaewon for about 1.5 km. With the Military band
and the honor guard of the Ministry of Defense at the head, it was a great show
of traditional costumes, performances, and traditional dances. The colorful
faces, amazing costumes, lively people, the enthusiasm, love and respect for
each other made this day a memorable day of my life. I thought for a while that
world’s peace can be promoted at its best by sharing culture, traditions, and possessions
of common interest.
Like all the other
countries my beloved Pakistan has also a great presentation in this
international festival. All the credit goes to the Pakistan Student Association
Korea. It has been second time that the students association has the privilege
to represent the diverse culture of Pakistan in a bunch of world culture show.
Pakistani stall was one of the busiest booths among the stalls of Itaewon
global festival. The “HINA stall” was a triumph and fascination of the
Pakistani booth. The beautiful and attractive HINA designs attracted girls of
different nations, backgrounds and cultures towards Pakistani stall. It was
already decided that the income from the booth will be donated to “Baluchistan
earthquake Victims” and this was indeed a big and noble cause. People from all
fields of life contributed to this worthy cause and the students from different
universities in Seoul participated with their friends to make it a success.
The parade was followed
by a K-POP concert around 5:00 PM. K-POP show was an amusing demonstration of
the famous Korean K-POP culture and people of different countries liked it very
much. The craze and interest of people could easily be seen from their faces
and body languages. There were a number of traditional world performances which
were beautifies by the presence of world famous artists, musicians, DJs and
bands. There were a number of street performances which amused the people and
got a lot of praise from the audience.
The musical artists of
the Hallyu Korean cultural wave performed their songs to celebrate Itaewon
Global Festival 2013. The C&M ‘행복나눔 착한 콘서트’ (C&M Sharing Good
Happiness Concert) was the final stage of the day. The participation, interest
and enthusiasm of the visitors was worth watching. I think being overflowing
with various cultural performances, exciting spectacles, delicious food, and
traditional games this festival has a great role to bring harmony and unity to
people living in Korea and will be having everlasting effect on the minds of
people of different nations.
Itaewon Global Festival
can be called as a practical implementation the Incheon Asian games motto which
is “Diversity Shines here”. I think these kinds of events are the trailers of
the upcoming great event in the form of Incheon Asian Games 2014, where we may
be able to see the diverse cultures of Asia with their unique features.
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