Seoul is hosting two large multicultural festivals tomorrow. In the city’s southeast, the First Fund Raising Walk for Multicultural Families will begin at 2 p.m. at Meeting Square in Olympic Park in Songpa District.
In central Seoul, an event called BBB International Friends Day and BBB World Parade will take place at the Cheonggye Stream from 9 a.m. on the same day.
The Olympic Park walk, which is sponsored by the JoongAng Ilbo, is aimed at promoting understanding between Koreans and multicultural families whose local presence has been increasing over recent years.
During the two-hour event, thousands of Koreans, including Culture Minister Yu In-chon, actor Choi Bul-am and Bada, a member of the former Korean pop group SES, will join expatriate families on a walk of the 9-kilometer-long (5.6-mile) pathway around the park. Participants will have the opportunity to make donations to help children of multicultural families struggling with financial difficulties.
To take part in the festival, people are required to register at the event’s Web site, www.walk4family.
org or by calling (02) 738-5691.
The Cheonggye Stream BBB parade also has the goal of encouraging cultural exchanges between Koreans and foreigners. The “BBB” in the event’s title stands for “Before Babel Brigade.”
The event is co-hosted by the JoongAng Ilbo and will feature introductions to cultures from all six continents along with folk dances and international food and music.
Around 1,000 foreigners are expected to participate, including the ambassadors of Hungary, Nigeria, Qatar, Tunisia, Pakistan, Guatemala, Laos and Sudan.
During the four-hour annual festival, participants will take a 5.8-kilometer walk from Cheonggye Plaza to Ogansu Bridge and then back to the plaza.
To apply to participate, call (02) 725-9108~9 or visit www.bbbkorea.
org. People can also register on the day at Cheoggye Plaza from 8 a.m. until the opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. The parade is scheduled to end at around 1:30 p.m.