Itaewon Global Festival 2013 [Buzz Korea]

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.

http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/itaewon-global-festival/

IAG Crew 2014

It was nice evening when i received an email from the Incheon Asian games 2014 committee that i have been selected for the English blogging of IAG crew. It was indeed a matter of immense pleasure for me as representing my country in such  a big event is itself a great opportunity and I have to promote the IAG 2014 through my blogs and writings. I was really happy for that.

On October 11, 2013 we had the orientation ceremony and thus the first International crews for the Incheon Asian Games 2014 were officially appointed. I was excited to meet new friends and to work with them. It has been a long since i met new friends, so i couldn't wait for it . It was 50 minutes subway travel from my place to Incheon but i miss the subway and thus  i was late for 30 minutes.The IAG committee main office is located in one of the tallest building of Incheon near Technopark subway station.

We have a brief introduction with the officials by the in charge of our program Miss Seieun OH. She is a very nice and cooperative person with a calm and attractive personality. She presented some slides about the  Incheon Asian games and all the way its progress. All those slides were really informative and at the same time surprising that how the Incheon metropolitan government and Korea republic are involved in the preparation of IAG 2014.

We were presented with souvenirs and appointments shields by the head of PR department of IAGOC, Mr. Kim Jaein. In the coffee break I met my colleagues Kohinoor from India, Paola from Philippine, Daniel from Canada, Franky from Indonesia.All they were really interesting and enthusiastic to participate in this program. Just after the break we had an other presentation by Mr. Shin. He guide us on how to write blogs and promote the IAG 2014. Also he explain about the selection of contents and suitability of topics for blogs. Over all It was an interactive session.

We had a lavish buffet at 21st floor of the "Meet you all Tower". The look of Incheon from the top of the tower was really amazing. The clear weather and nice sun shine reflects the beauty of Incheon city. All the attractions of Incheon city were visible from sky portion of the building. The smooth and long roads show a great view from such  a height.

We had a productive group discussion after lunch in which we highlighted the role of the crews in promotion of the IAG 2014. Every participant express his/her opinion in this regards. We finalized our topics for the October and our group topic. We also have a detailed discussion, questions and answers session about the interests of the Incheon Asian Games committee and their expectations from the crews.
At the end of the day, we come up with a better understandings for our role and responsibilities. The meeting finished at 2:30 PM after 4 hours of the process and discussion. The next venue and time was also decided mutually.

Over all it was an amazing experience. I hope this opportunity will bring more pleasant experiences, chances to communicate with internationals  and occasions to express our personalities in a more proper way. I wish to be a part of further batches of the crews as well.
To be very honest I consider my self to be a lucky one for having such a great opportunity to represent myself and my country in the Incheon Asians games through my writings.

Korea and the Asian Games [Buzz Korea]

This blog id written for the promotion of Incheon Asian Games 2014. 

Korean people love games. They are just more than crazy for their traditional as well as the neighborhood games. The have intermixed games with technology, thrill and dedication and that is why they become the leading gold medals taker in international games. Korea and the Asian games have a long and interesting history. Korea welcome Asian games on their lands for the first time ever in1986 in the beautiful and energetic city of Seoul from September 20 to Oct 05.4839 athletes from 27 countries compete in 25 games for 270 events. This was the biggest sports event played in Seoul and thus the people of Korea welcomed the Asian athletes with open hearts to make that event a success.  China stood on top with gold medals followed by Korea 93 and Japan 58.

Korea welcomes Asian games for the second time in 2002 when the charming city of Busan organized the mega event from Sep29 to October14, 2002. Busan is the hub of Korean trade and communication with the world because of its soils that touches the sea. The Asian games 2002 made Busan a more prominent city in the world and the people of Busan make a history by attracting the attention and interest of the athletes of Asians countries and the media representatives from around the globe. The theme of the BAG 2002 was “Promotion and partnership among Asian games”. Participation from record 44 nations was a tag of success of the event. 7,711 athletes showed their skills in 38 sports and 419 events.  China was again the leading on the table of gold medals with 150 medals, Korea stood second with 96 Gold medals while Japan get 44 gold medals. 

Korea is ready to welcome again the Asian games this time the most beautiful and attractive city of Incheon with a new zeal and excitement. The Incheon Metropolitan city is decorated with new and already existing stadiums for games. This time there will the maximum number of participation from Asain countries. The 17^th Asain games will be played from Sep19 to October 4, 2014 among the 13000 athletes for 437 events and in 36 games. Many new games are introduced this time. Its gonna be a big big event. Korean people are already crazy for it.