Published by the Gwangju International Center since 2001
It is only a few weeks away from one of the biggest events organized by the Gwangju International Center. Gwangju International Day (or GIC Day) this year has been elevated to Gwangju International Community Week, which will be held from October 11–16 around the Asia Culture Center (ACC) and the Gwangju International Center (GIC).
We are all citizens of Spaceship Earth, bound to always live and operate in tandem for ever and ever. It is our destiny, as it were, to share our collective home planet with everyone else, regardless of origins, identities, or ideologies. From this vantage point, the ultra-nationalistic take on our culture alluded to earlier in this article does not at all belong in any sane and rational mindset, does it? What do you say?
On the historical grounds of the May 18th square near the Asia Culture Center, the first Refugee Women Bazaar in Gwangju took place. Let me be clear and state that there is a distinct difference between “refugees” and “immigrants.” These women sought refuge in South Korea due to multiple factors ranging from war and political oppression to state-enforced imprisonment. What must be acknowledged is that they ran away from threats. No matter the variables of their individual circumstances, they shared one thought in heart: to seeking a better life.
Reflecting back on the period from the 1970s to the 1990s, this year marks the 19th year of Chungjang Festival, which is now a global event. The street area from Chungjang-ro 4-ga to 5-ga will also be decorated with nostalgic movie art, and empty stores will be used as cosplay movie spots for dressing up as characters from such movies as Snow White, Spiderman, and Ironman, and the Goblin Alley area (광주광역시 동구 충장로 5가 127-1) will have movie character sculptures installed to provide a variety of attractions and experiences for the citizens.
On July 23, 2022, the military in Myanmar secretly executed four leaders of the country’s freedom movement. The martyrs’ families, like the men themselves, were not given advance notice. Final goodbyes were never said. Only after the dictatorship publicly announced the hangings two days later, on Monday, July 25, did the families and the world learn about these cold-blooded murders. To add to the pain, the remains of the deceased have disappeared. The regime is being as brutal as possible in order to make clear that opposition to their rule will result in maximum pain and suffering. Among those killed were some of the most loved and popular leaders of the ongoing movement to overthrow the dictatorship: hip hop artist and elected parliamentary representative, Phyo Zeya Tha, leader of Generation Wave, which followed the 2007 Saffron Revolution; Hla Myo Aung; Aung Thura Zaw; and Kyaw Min Yu – better known to his friends, among whom I count myself, as “Jimmy.”
Our beloved City of Light is the host of one underground subculture hotspot called Deep Ocean (Simhae, 심해). Run by young enthusiasts who transformed their hobbies and passions into a lifestyle, the place is a must-see for music lovers of this genre. It is the place you have been searching for! I was in awe when I discovered it, not knowing that Gwangju had such a precious hidden gem.
In accordance with the Basic Act on the Treatment of Foreigners in Korea, May 20 is designated as Together Day every year by the Ministry of Justice to eliminate discrimination and prejudice caused by differences in nationality, race, and culture, as well as to appreciate the diversity of local communities. The Gwangju International Center (GIC) has helped organized this event, hosted by Gwangju City and the Gwangju Immigration Office, for a few years now.
Every Sunday at 2 p.m. – come rain, shine, or scorching summer heat – players from countries like Canada, Iran, the US, Uzbekistan, the UK, and Korea take to the pitch to show off their skills for a couple of hours. Like all sports, there can be a competitive edge to the game, but the team does not take itself too seriously, hence its slogan “You’ll Never Drink Alone.”
