World Cultures Unite at Busan Cinema Center on May 24

The Busan Global Gathering, a festival that celebrates World Day for Cultural Diversity and brings together cultures from around the world, will be held at the Busan Cinema Center on May 24.

On May 15th, the Busan Global City Foundation announced that the 20th Global Gathering 2025 will take place from 11am to 6pm at the Busan Cinema Center. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year’s festival will feature 10 performance teams from five countries, including Mongolia and Cameroon. The event is hosted by the Busan Metropolitan City and the Ministry of Justice, and co-organized by the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation, the Busan Immigration Office, and the Busan Cinema Center. Each year, the city holds this free event in celebration of World Citizen Day, drawing about 13,000 participants, including Busan citizens and foreign residents

This year’s main stage will feature cultural performances from various countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. The festival will begin at 11am with an opening ceremony, followed by a special performance commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization, featuring the Busan Metropolitan Dance Company, Chongqing Normal University, and a performance group from Shimonoseki, Japan. In the afternoon, the program will feature a Taekwondo demonstration by Kosin University's Department of Taekwondo, along with cultural performances by groups from Mongolia and Cameroon. A live broadcast by Busan e-FM is scheduled, along with a prize giveaway event.

Country-themed citizen participation booths will also be set up. Booths organized by 90 institutions from 30 countries, including the embassies of Pakistan, the Philippines, and Belarus, as well as the Laos Cultural Center in Korea, will be offering traditional foods, clothing, and products.

A Korean calligraphy contest titled the “Han Seok-Bong Awards” will also be held for foreign residents in Korea. Registration was open until May 18th via a Google Form linked on the official website. An on-site OX quiz show for citizens is also expected to attract attention.

 Kang Chang-Hwa (Deputy Manager, Busan Global City Foundation), a deputy manager of the Exchange and Cooperation Team at the Busan Global City Foundation said, “As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Busan Global Gathering, we made even greater efforts than previous years to showcase more unique and diverse content from various countries, befitting Busan’s representative multicultural festival.”

Reporter Seo Yoo-Jung, Thadar-Soe

Translated by Baek Yun-Mi