World cultures come together in Busan
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World cultures come together in Busan
Global Gathering 2008 beckons foreigners to BEXCO Plaza on Oct. 12
The city and Busan Foundation for International Activities or BFIA will hold the "Global Gathering 2008 With Foreigners" at the BEXCO Plaza between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 12.
The event, the third such annual get-together, will invite all foreign residents in Busan, including students, immigrant wives and workers, to share and experience the culture and traditions of various countries along with Busan citizens.
Participants will come not just from the neighboring countries of Japan and China but from faraway Africa, South America, Europe and South Asia, with nations such as Poland, Peru, Mongolia, Norway and Guatemala presenting performances and traditional cultural exhibitions as well as offering foods, including kebabs from Turkey, barbecue from Indonesia, pancakes from Russia, takoyaki from Japan, fried chicken from China and broiled noodles from Thailand. A variety of special events are also in store, such as foreign nationals holding a Korean traditional wedding.
About 30 countries and organizations will take part in the event, which breaks down into four sections or "grounds" - Cultural Ground, Experiencing Ground, Participating Ground and Sharing Ground. Admission is free of charge.
▶Cultural Ground: This is a place where visitors can enjoy both traditional and modern culture. About 30 countries and organizations have set up booths to display publicity articles and souvenirs, in which the hosts and Korean visitors can also have discussions and take pictures together.
▶Experiencing Ground: This section provides performances of traditional plays of Korea and guest countries. In the Korean booth, visitors can experience straw handicrafts, pounding rice, grinding grain on a stone mill, playing "yut" and see-sawing.
There is also a competition for playing shuttlecock with the feet at 12 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy traditional games from five countries including the Philippines.
▶Participating Ground: In this section, foreigners can showcase their talents, while countries conduct stage performances. Ten groups will present songs, dances, martial arts and traditional performances from 3 p.m.
The contest will be followed by traditional performances by some African nations, Vietnam, Ecuador and Indonesia as well as special performances by students from International School of Busan and Busan Foreign School.
▶Sharing Ground: Teas from various countries are on offer. Visitors can also receive visa, legal and medical counseling services from experts as well as simple health checkups.
<Photo: Visitors can taste traditional food from across the world at Global Gathering 2008. Pictured is the Norwegian team's booth last year.>
