What If the Gwangju Subway Were Free?
By William Urbanski If you’ve tried to walk, take a bus, or drive anywhere in Gwangju over the last two years, you’ve no doubt noticed that there’s a massive construction … Read More
Tag: people
Hwasun’s Nineteenth Annual Marathon
On the first weekend of November, the county of Hwasun was host to the 19th Annual Dolmen Marathon (제19회 화순 고인돌 마라톤 대회). In addition to being surprisingly well attended, it was one of the most well-organized, exciting, and high-energy race events that I’ve attended in about a decade.
The Richness of Costa Rica
By Sebastian Benavides Vargas 안녕하세요. 코스타리카 아세요? (Hello, do you know Costa Rica?) Hello, do you know about Costa Rica? This was the question that attracted curious people closer to … Read More
The 12th World Human Right Cities Forum: Views from Participants
The 12th World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) was held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center for four days, October 10–13, 2022. During this year’s Forum, 38 programs were organized with 320 domestic and foreign speakers and around 1,800 participants in total. Under this year’s theme, “Climate Crisis and Human Rights,” we concluded that it was important to recognize that the climate crisis could also impact human rights, not just the environment.
Love Opens Doors to Human Hearts
I like this perspective of love as a miracle incubator. Love as such apparently sheds light on why NGOs in general are so well received wherever they find themselves.
Solo Trip to Almaty – Kazakhstan’s Largest City
The five nations of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – were once part of the USSR. Their being late to obtain independence has meant that they are arguably still overlooked, though they are hidden gems in their own right. Kazakhstan, like its neighbors, is home to scenery that is nothing short of epic: Mountains capped with snow, glacial lakes, and gorges make it a dream for keen hikers and novices alike. It is a country where the influences of Islam and communism still clash wonderfully with each other, making way for some truly beautiful architecture, the likes of which I have never seen anywhere else.
Sunshine and Scat at Seoul Forest Jazz Festival
Now any seasoned festival-goer will tell you, getting to the site is always a gruelling slog, which leaves you exhausted before the first chord is even strummed. I have had motorway breakdowns, cancelled coaches, and overcrowded trains. But this festival was different – we actually arrived in style.
A Week of Multicultural Immersion
The Gwangju International Center (GIC) successfully organized the 2022 Gwangju International Community Week this October. Starting from Tuesday, October 11, when the GIC held Culture Night featuring four regions in the world, to that weekend’s Global Gwangju event at the Asia Culture Center, it was hard work for all involved, but it was also considered a job well done!