The 12th Migrants’ Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) will kick off Friday evening for a three-day run featuring traditional performances, an Asian pop concert, folk culture programs and food exhibitions. (Image: Yonhap)
CHANGWON, South Korea, Sept. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – About 15,000 migrants from 12 countries are expected to show up at a massive street parade in the southeastern city of Changwon this Sunday as part of an annual multicultural festival, organizers said.
The 12th Migrants’ Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) will kick off Friday evening for a three-day run featuring traditional performances, an Asian pop concert, folk culture programs and food exhibitions.
The organizer expects some 220,000 people to visit this year’s event, up from last year’s 153,000 participants.
The highlight of the festival will be a parade to be staged on a 3-kilometer road in the city center, with participants from 12 countries showing off traditional costumes, dance and music.
Immigrants from Bangladesh, this year’s guest of honor, will march together with a national art troupe from the country under the theme of “Happy Parade.”
Around 100 Pakistani participants will follow a band of drum and pipe players. Sri Lankan migrants will walk under a banner with images of an ancient rock fortress and a Buddhist temple.
Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries will also showcase their religions, traditional costumes and dance.
After the parade, the Asia Pop Music Concert will be held at Yongji Culture Park, featuring popular singers from nine countries. South Korea’s Yoon Do-hyun, the MAMF promotional ambassador, and his rock band will give a celebratory concert.
The festival was launched in Seoul in 2005 and has been hosted by Changwon since 2010.
(Yonhap)
