Geumnam-ro Transformed by the Chungjang Festival: Embracing the Lights and Colors of Asia

Asia Night Market "Culture Street" at Geumnam-ro 2-ga

Main Stage Features Performances Blending Tradition and Modernity

Dong-gu, Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City, announced on October 6 that the area around Geumnam-ro will be transformed into "Asia Culture Day" on the third day of the 23rd Gwangju Memories of Chungjang Festival, which falls on October 9. The event will feature a fusion of Asian foods, cultures, and performances.

Panoramic View of Dong-gu Office Building in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do.

"Asia Culture Day," created to highlight the local character of the district, which is home to the National Asia Culture Center, has expanded its scale and programs compared to last year. Various events will be held throughout Geumnam-ro, including "Asia Culture Street," where migrants from different Asian countries directly serve their native dishes, a Hanbok fashion show, a K-Beauty hair show, the Asia Culture Show, and the "Chungjang W (World) Parade," which will feature 13 teams from 7 countries.

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. around Geumnam-ro 2-ga, the "Asia Culture Street" will bring to life the atmosphere of a local Asian night market. Visitors will be able to taste a variety of signature dishes from different countries such as Indonesian nasi goreng, Singaporean hokkien mee, Pakistani chicken pulao, and Japanese wagashi, all in one place.

In particular, local migrant residents and international students will actively participate by serving food from their home countries, sharing stories and cultures behind the dishes with local citizens. Dong-gu plans to maintain continuous communication with participants to make this not just about tasting food from different countries but to also encourage mutual cultural understanding and exchange.

On the main stage at Geumnam-ro, performances covering both traditional and modern Asian culture will be performed in succession. The program will begin with a Hanbok fashion show that blends tradition and modernity, followed by a K-Beauty hair show combining music and hairstyles from various eras, and the Asia Culture Show, which will bring together the cultures of Korea, Mongolia, and Japan on a single stage, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Starting at 8:00 p.m., the "Chungjang W (World) Parade" will unfold throughout the Geumnam-ro area. To deliver a high-quality parade, Dong-gu has invested effort in preparation, including traveling abroad to discover and invite participating teams directly at international festivals and performance venues. This year, 13 teams from 7 countries will take part, each presenting dances, music, and performances that reflect their unique national characteristics.

The lineup of participating teams is also noteworthy. Highlights include "DonJuan," winner of the Sinulog Festival Best Dance Crew competition in Cebu, Philippines for three consecutive years; "Eniwa Benigaratsu," which consistently reaches the finals at Sapporo Yosakoi Soran, Japan's largest parade festival; and "Nga Tapuwae O Te Arawa," a New Zealand Maori traditional performance group known for their powerful chants and group dances. These teams and others will showcase dynamic and unique performances from around the world.

The way the audience will enjoy the parade will also change to ensure greater comfort and safety. Geumnam-ro will be divided into three performance zones, with the same performances held at each so that visitors can enjoy the events nearby without having to move from place to place. In particular, a temporary spectator stand will be set up in front of the Fountain of Light at Zone 3, enabling a more comfortable and vivid parade viewing experience.

Dong-gu Mayor Im Taek stated, "We have carefully prepared so that everyone can enjoy the diverse foods and cultures of Asia, as well as the colorful parade performances by both Korean and international teams all at once on Geumnam-ro. We hope you visit the Chungjang Festival on the 9th to experience the rich tastes and styles of Asia and enjoy a special day where cultures from around the world come together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.