The Migrants’ Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) 2021 (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
CHANGWON, Aug. 24 (Korea Bizwire) –The Migrants’ Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) 2024, South Korea’s largest celebration of cultural diversity, is scheduled to take place from October 11 to 13 in Changwon.
The event will be held at Yongji Culture Park, Seongsan Art Hall, and Jungang-daero in the Seongsan district.
On August 21, Changwon City officials met with the MAMF organizing committee to discuss this year’s festival schedule, strategic direction, and preparation status.
Under the theme “Together to Gather,” MAMF 2024 will feature participation from 21 countries, with the Philippines as the guest of honor.
The festival aims to bring together immigrants and native Koreans in a celebration that blends Korean sentiment, as embodied in the traditional folk song “Arirang,” with multicultural elements.
The opening day will feature an inaugural ceremony accompanied by celebratory performances.
The second day’s highlights include a multicultural-themed drawing competition and the Global Citizen Festival, a sports day for multicultural families. Special cultural performances by Filipino artists and a MAMF film festival are also on the agenda.
The festival will conclude with events organized by various expat communities, including Migrants’ Arirang cultural experiences and a Diversity Parade, promising a grand finale to the three-day celebration.
Hong Nam-pyo, the mayor of Changwon, emphasized the increasing importance of cultural diversity as the foreign resident population grows. “We will spare no effort in supporting MAMF to help it reach a global audience,” he stated.
Now in its 19th year, MAMF has become a significant event in South Korea’s cultural calendar. The festival’s name reflects its goal of harmonizing Korean cultural heritage with the diverse backgrounds of the country’s immigrant population.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
