World Cultural Festival - Global Gathering 2008

Global Gathering 2008 with foreigners in Busan

At BEXCO's outdoor square on Oct. 12

The Global Gathering 2008, which takes place on Oct. 12 at BEXCO's outdoor square, will allow people in Busan to indulge in foreign cultures.

Hosted jointly by Busan City and Busan Foundation for International Activities, or BFIA, the event celebrates its third year and offers a chance to share and experience a variety of exotic foods and cultures in Busan. Some 30 organizations and countries, including China, Japan, Turkey, Ecuador, Guatemala and Russia, will take part in the event.

The feast consists of four major gathering grounds or "madang" in Korean. There will be four madangs for culture, experience, participation and sharing. Admission is free.

 â– Gathering for Culture- It will offer a rare chance to experience a variety of cultures and traditions around the world. Forty booths will be set up by some 30 countries and organizations, which will display their PR materials and souvenirs. In the global culinary booth, visitors can enjoy various kinds of traditional foods from some 15 countries, including China, Japan, Norway, India, Poland and Sri Lanka.

 â– Gathering for Experience- This is where visitors can enjoy traditional plays from various countries, including Korea. In the "Once Upon a Time in Korea" section, visitors can experience various Korean cultural activities -- demonstrations in straw craft and rice-cake making and folk life experiences using millstones, rice-cake mallets, mortars and A-frames.

 â– Gathering for Participation- This is where visitors can watch foreigners compete in a talent shows. Foreigners will also stage performances. Starting at 3 p.m., 10 foreign teams will show off their singing, dancing and martial arts abilities. In addition, traditional performances of various countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, Ecuador, will be staged. Students from Busan International School and Busan foreign school will also take part.

 â– Gathering for Sharing -- Visitors here can taste 13 different kinds of herb teas from all over the world. Proceeds from the tea sales will be used to support foreign workers. The site also provides foreigners with counseling regarding visa, legal and health matters. In addition, simple medical exams will be given for free. Tel: 051-888-6656