Gwangju Greets the World

GIC Week Hosts Diverse Global Cultures

By Lee Ah-hyun

As the number of migrants steadily increases, Korea, which was classified as a monoethnic nation, is about to become a multicultural society where various cultures, social politics, and artistic expression coexist. According to Statistics Korea, as of 2024, over 2.6 million foreigners are residing in the country, and if this trend continues, the number is expected to approach three million by 2025. The Ministry of Justice’s immigration statistics show that as of January 2024, there are a total of 85,441 foreigners living in the Gwangju-Jeonnam area alone, a significant rise from 25,628 in 2020, marking a 3.3-fold increase in a mere five years!

To foster inclusiveness in a city where multinational residents coexist, the Gwangju International Center has been operating a variety of programs aimed at enhancing multicultural understanding among locals and facilitating exchanges between Korean and international residents. Notably, GIC Week (Gwangju International Community Week), which began 30 years ago as Foreigners’ Night in 1995, has evolved into a global festival where Gwangju citizens and international residents can exchange their diverse cultures.

The 2024 GIC Week, whose in-person events were held on October 5–6, featured a “Global Pavilion” where participants could experience various world cuisines and cultures; a “Community Village” that brought together the Gwangju global community and international support organizations; and this year, special “Sister-City Pop-Up Booths,” where citizens from Gwangju’s international sister cities came to promote their respective countries and cities, adding special significance to the 30th iteration of the event.

A Global Pavilion

Through a world culture and food experience introduced directly by international residents living in the Gwangju-Jeonnam area, visitors had the opportunity to broaden their understanding of diverse global cultures and cuisines. The cultural experience featured seven countries, offering programs where attendees could engage in traditional crafts and games. The diverse food experiences provided a chance to taste dishes from a total of 17 countries, including Canada, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Spain, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Nepal, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, and Yemen, in collaboration with a global grocery store. Among these, familiar foods like those from Vietnam and Japan are somewhat accessible in Korea, while more exotic dishes from Syria and Morocco offered unique tasting experiences, providing valuable opportunities to immerse oneself in the a cornucopia of cultures. At all event areas, the use of disposable products was restricted, and utensils needed for meals could be rented from an eco-zone, supporting environmental protection efforts. These initiatives align with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and add significant meaning to practicing eco-friendly approaches within our community.

A Community Village

The event provided a platform to introduce various exchange communities and organizations supporting international tresidents, fostering a space for sharing community wisdom. Institutions such as the Foreign Support Center, Gwangju Foreign School, and Gwangju Migrant Women’s Association participated in the promotion, offering support for foreigners settling in Gwangju. Through traditional games and board game programs that included both Korean and international residents of Gwangju, attendees had a magnificant opportunity to explore foreign support services available in the region and witness the unity of communities based on shared interests from different countries.

Sister-City Pop-Up Booths

At the sister-city booths, public diplomacy activities were conducted to promote the four participating sister cities of Gwangju City: Medan, Indonesia; Sendai, Japan; Nghe An Province, Vietnam; and San Antonio, USA; as well as Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which has a friendship agreement with Gwangju. Participants included outstanding representatives from eleven cities across seven countries involved in the public diplomacy program operated by the Gwangju International Center. Notably, Medan, which established its sister-city relationship with Gwangju in 1997, had youth who are participating in the program directly managing the Medan booth, adding significant meaning to the engagement. Through these public diplomacy efforts, we discovered the potential for heightened collaboration within cultural diversity.

Preserving Cultural Diversity

This year’s GIC Week was a significant event that showcased a community where diverse cultures collaborated harmoniously and to mutual benefit. Through this event, all involved took a step closer to better understanding and respecting one another. It is hoped that future experiences such as this one will enrich subsequent cultural interconnections. We look forward to witnessing Korea’s progression toward a multicultural society and Gwangju’s onward movement towards becoming a totally inclusive city.