Suwon holds festivals for multicultural households

Suwon City will hold festivals for multicultural households and foreign residents on May 21 and 22.

The Yeongtong Community Welfare Center in Suwon, together with the Suwon Immigration Office, will hold a festival for local residents outside the welfare center building on May 21. Members of multicultural households and foreign residents will be encouraged to join the festivities. The program includes a joint wedding ceremony for immigrants marrying Koreans, opportunities for hands-on experiences with foreign foods and garments, and a singing contest.

On May 22, Suwon City will hold the 4^th Multicultural Family Festival at the outdoor concert hall in Ingye-dong, Paldal-gu. The program will include: demonstrations of modeumbuk (traditional Korean drums), taekwondo and aerobics skills; the World Garment Fashion Show, featuring traditional garments from eight countries; a talent show; a belly dance performance by Samsung Electronics personnel; and a congratulatory performance by Muhammad Khan, a Bangladeshi singer. At lunchtime, bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables and beef) will be served to a total of 2,011 people, who will be encouraged to join in the preparation of the dish.

Suwon City will operate a booth at which migrant workers taking part in the festival can call family members in their home countries via video phone. Foreigners will also be invited to try: traditional Korean musical instruments; tteokmechigi (a method of making rice cakes by pounding lumps of steamed rice with a large wooden hammer); pony rides; and Mongolian wrestling. In addition, during the event, an information service will be provided to foreigners concerning matters related to immigration laws and job opportunities. Foreigners can also consult with doctors for a basic diagnosis and take advantage of a hairdressing service.

Reported by Kang Chang-goo