Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light, though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they, do not go gentle into that good night.
Indian community in Korea hosts Holi Hai Festival in South Gyeongsang Province
Participants of the 16th Holi Hai Festival pose at Sunshine Miryang Theme Park’s Yoga Culture Town in South Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Courtesy of Holi Hai Organization
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Around 1,000 Korean citizens and international residents came together for the 16th Holi Hai Festival in a vibrant celebration of culture, wellness and community, the Indians in Korea (IIK) community said Wednesday.
IIK hosted the event, inspired by the famous Hindu “Festival of Colors,” alongside Indian Students and Researchers in Korea (ISRK) at the Sunshine Miryang Theme Park’s Yoga Culture Town in South Gyeongsang Province last Sunday.
Creating a lively atmosphere filled with music, cultural activities and colorful celebrations, the event was welcomed by Miryang Mayor Ahn Byung-ku, who highlighted growing cultural ties and friendship between Korea and India. The event was also attended by Suresh Kumar, second secretary and head of consular and community affairs at the Embassy of India in Korea, according to an event official.
Holi is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, marking the arrival of spring and renewal. Rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil, often associated with the folktale of Prahlad and Holika.
Across the world, Holi has brought people together through music, dance and the playful throwing of colored powder, symbolizing joy, equality and the breaking down of social barriers.
In Korea, the Holi Hai Festival has been held annually since 2011. For this year’s event, IIK and ISRK joined hands with the City of Miryang to not only promote cultural exchanges between the two countries but also provide a platform for interaction between Korean citizens and the international community, the official added.
The festival opened with a traditional drum ceremony, setting an energetic tone for the day’s events. Throughout the afternoon, the stage hosted a series of performances that included guitar gigs, belly and pop dance, and Bollywood shows. Participants also gathered for a group photo session, celebrating the diverse international community participating in the festival.
Besides the main stage, visitors were allowed to explore various interactive cultural experience zones including yoga and wellness activities, a Hindi writing experience and traditional Indian games.
The highlight of the festival was the Holi Color Session, where participants danced to a lively DJ set while tossing colorful powder into the air, recreating the signature Holi tradition celebrated across India.