Busan to showcase 31 countries' cultural assets on global citizens' day

[Gettyimages Bank]

SEOUL -- South Korea's southern port city of Busan will host a cultural festival where visitors can enjoy 31 countries' unique cultural assets such as traditional dances. The event will take place on "Together Day," which is a commemorative day on May 20 designed to bridge the gap between domestic and foreign residents in South Korea. Traditional dance performances will be showcased by five nations -- Japan, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Belarus, and Ecuador.

There are some 53,300 foreign residents living in the port city with a total population of some 3.4 million. About 22 percent of the foreign population in Busan are working people and 13 percent are immigrants married to South Koreans. Some 21 percent of foreign residents were students. The city is also a popular tourist spot for travelers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Korea, about 2.7 million foreign tourists annually visited Busan.

Busan said in a statement that 76 organizations including embassies and consulates will take part in the festival titled "Global Gathering 2023." At the event, participants from 31 different nations will present their food and traditional crafts using booths. Visitors can also explore traditional apparel items through a costume contest. The event, co-hosted by Busan City and South Korea's justice ministry, will happen at Busan Cinema Center Dureraum Square located in the city's eastern region.

Through the event, the city also aims to carry out promotional activities to host World Expo 2030 in Busan. The global economic event, which is held every five years for six months, can play a crucial role in promoting South Korea's artificial intelligence, big data, and information communication technologies to the global market.

Kim Joo-heon jhkim123@ajunews.com

Busan to showcase 31 countries' cultural assets on global citizens' day

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