Seongdong District to host Global Cultural Experience Festival

Seongdong District Mayor Chong Won-o, center, poses with children at the Seongdong Global Cultural Experience Festival in Seoul, Dec. 15, 2024. Courtesy of Seongdong District Office

Seongdong District in eastern Seoul will host the 2025 Seongdong Global Cultural Experience Festival, an event aimed at fostering cultural and linguistic awareness among children, on Saturday.

The event will run from 1-5 p.m. at the district office’s main auditorium on the third floor and is expected to draw about 400 children from the area. Now in its second year, the festival is organized around the theme of “expedition.” Participants will receive an Explorer Card for admission and an Explorer Map to guide them through the activities.

Cultural experience booths run by English teachers from various countries will give children opportunities to explore cultures from around the world.

The festival will also include craft activities in which participants can create Indian henna art using natural dye, build a Canadian beaver-themed block model and make Brazilian maracas (handheld percussion instruments).

A traditional costume zone will feature opportunities for children to try on outfits from different countries. The event will also include a virtual reality program offering a world tour experience, allowing participants to explore cities like London and Tokyo.

In addition, a food zone will offer hands-on activities, such as making Greek yogurt parfaits, icing cookies with national flags and tasting Turkish ice cream.

The program will also include traditional dances from six countries: Spain, Ukraine, Egypt, France, Kazakhstan and Russia.

The district will donate proceeds from participation fees to the Seoul branch of the Community Chest of Korea to support charitable causes. Children from the district who preregister online will be admitted after paying a 2,000 won participation fee at the venue.

“I hope the festival will offer children a joyful opportunity to encounter world cultures and people in one place and deepen their understanding of diversity,” Seongdong District Mayor Chong Won-o said. “The district will continue supporting children as they grow into global citizens who respect one another and help build a more inclusive future.”