Gwangju Kimchi Festival 2023
By Olivia Laurel
Kimchi (김치) has gained popularity all over the world, and millions of people are celebrating it. But what makes kimchi so great? Let us take a look…
Originally from Korea, this traditional side dish is fermented, and the main ingredients are either Napa cabbage or Korean radish with seasonings to add like chili powder, ginger, and garlic, to name a few. There are over 100 types of kimchi, and when you are traveling within the different regions of Korea, you will discover that each area has perfected its own style and flavor of kimchi. In the past, people would store their kimchi in earthenware jars and sometimes put them underground to slow the fermentation process during the summer months. But these days, there are kimchi refrigerators that can be outfitted for any modern home, which makes things very convenient and easy.
It is a yearlong process to prepare and make kimchi. Starting in the springtime, seafood is preserved in a salt brine to be added later in the year. Then the summertime is when people will dry mass quantities of chili peppers outside of their homes and shops. In suburban and rural areas, it is very common to see a large tarp of chili peppers drying in the side streets. And when the autumn season arrives, it is time to put everything together to make the kimchi. This process is called kimjang (김장). It is a long and lengthy process because people are making a family supply to last for the entire year. Many people will come together and create different stations to make the process fast and efficient. I remember helping a church one year in making their kimchi, and I was assigned to stir a giant vat of chili pepper paste. It was hard work, but I enjoyed the excitement and energy everyone had in working together. Kimjang is a wonderful opportunity to share the culture and keep the tradition going for the younger generation. The hope is that this art and skill will be carried down for numerous generations.
I think it is this enthusiasm for kimchi that has made it now into a popular global commodity. Even in some states of the USA, they celebrate Kimchi Day on November 22. Kimchi is also so versatile and can complement meals in so many ways. Some of the well-known kimchi foods include Korean pancakes, fried rice, and various stews. The famous Army Stew (부대찌개) was created during the Korean war as soldiers were scrounging together rice, seasonings, sausage, and kimchi to make a dish that reminded them of home. They even introduced this stew to their American allies and used the ingredients they provided, such as Spam.
As the kimjang season is coming upon us, Gwangju is prepared to cover everyone’s essential kimchi needs, and the Sangmu District is ready to party this year for its annual Kimchi Festival! Located at Citizen’s Park in Kimchi Town, it is going to be amped up with a variety of activities and performances for people to enjoy.
To kick off the festivities, an opening ceremony will be held on Friday, November 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Featured at this show will be traditional Korean fusion performances, modern B-boy dances, and even a kimchi mukbang (먹방, “eating show”) to get you into the fermented mood.
When you are ready to eat, the Kimchi Table area will be able to host more than 500 people to try out the many flavors of kimchi provided by numerous restaurant booths. There will also be a plethora of performances to observe at this venue.
To feel cultured, you can head over to the exhibition that will showcase books and documentaries to learn more about the history and traditions of kimchi. This illustrative and contextual experience will help in bringing awareness to the beauty and benefits that kimchi has to offer.
Then venture over to the All-In-One Market, which will provide you with the best quality ingredients needed to make your favorite style of kimchi. Sourced from local farms, items like chili powder, cabbage, green onions, and radish, to name a few, will guarantee delicious dishes every time.
And if you are feeling unsure about the making process, there will be classes available for all ages to participate in how to make kimchi as well as other wonderful recipes to complement kimchi flavors.
Do not miss out on this festival, as it will continue only until Monday the 6th. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned expert in kimchi, you can be assured to have a great time!
The Author
Olivia Laurel is an English Professor at Gwangju University and has been residing in South Korea since 2009. When she is not teaching, she enjoys creating art and has participated in several different art shows across the country. Her favorite medium to work with is painting with mixed media designs.