World Refugee Day festival brings communities together in Seoul

People hold up a banner for the fifth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival in eastern Seoul's Ttukseom Hangang Park, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

To mark World Refugee Day, people from different walks of life gathered on Saturday for the fifth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival at Ttukseom Hangang Park beneath Cheongdam Bridge near Jayang Station on Seoul Metro Line 7.

Despite the rainy weather, the festival featured refugee performances representing cultures from around the world, where refugees took center stage to share their lives, stories and unique talents. Attendees enjoyed traditional Burundian drumming, Ethiopian and Jumma cultural dance performances, Sudanese, Pakistani and Afghan music, Korean songs, African traditional singing and K-pop, highlighting the cultural diversity that refugees offer to Korean society and showcasing refugee communities living in Korea.

People enjoy a Burundian traditional drum performance at the fifth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival in eastern Seoul's Ttukseom Hangang Park, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Organized by Refugee pNan, a local nongovernmental organization, the festival was designed to foster natural encounters that overcome prejudice. Rather than relying on lectures or formal discussions, the open-space event encourages understanding through shared experiences, aiming to reduce the distance and misconceptions often associated with the term “refugee.”

“Over the past few years, Refugee pNan has shared stories of solidarity by walking alongside refugees under the name 'Shall We Walk?' continuing to advocate for refugees rights and participation in Korea society. In this year’s World Refugee Day, it aims to facilitate a space where refugees are not viewed merely as 'those in need of help,' but who can stand as neighbors who live together in our society, creating mutual meaning and positive change,” the organizers said.

“This year, to make it easier for more citizens to approach and mingle without pressure, we have prepared an open festival that anyone passing by can naturally participate in and enjoy, rather than an event exclusive to a specific group.”

Sudita Chakma performs at the fiftth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival in eastern Seoul's Ttukseom Hangang Park, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

One of the performers was Sudipta Chakma, an international student from the Bangladeshi Jumma Community, who performed the song "Better Man" by Robbie Williams, conveying a message of resilience and hope to those facing hardship.

"In the song, there is an incredible message for people," he told The Korea Times. "I believe it carries a universal message about perseverance. As human beings, we make mistakes. We do wrong but don't break down. Make those experiences your strength, build yourself and keep growing."

Although he does not personally identify as a refugee, Chakma said he wanted his performance to encourage those forced to flee their home countries.

He learned about the event through members of his community, who informed him about the World Refugee Day gathering. Although he has performed at numerous events in Bangladesh and Korea, he expressed excitement over his first performance at this particular celebration.

Chakma is currently pursuing a master's degree in global business at Anyang University. Unlike some members of his family, he did not come to Korea as a refugee but arrived as an international student about 10 months ago. However, the refugee community is personally meaningful to him, as his uncle and aunt hold refugee status in Korea.

For Thailand-based Myanmar filmmaker Liam Han, the festival was an inspiration, as he has always felt a strong emotional connection to stories of displacement and survival.

"I personally feel that these stories are very emotional to me; it is something we should look into. So many people cannot go home, and they're trying to survive out there," he said.

Myanmar filmmaker Liam Han attends the fifth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival in eastern Seoul's Ttukseom Hangang Park, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Han, who was in to Seoul to attend the 10th Korea Refugee Film Festival, began making films at the age of 14. His documentary film, “A Lighter Between Invisible Bars,” premiered at the film festival last week, following the real-life story of a refugee from Myanmar. He emphasized that every aspect of the film is based on real events, without a scripted narrative.

Beyond changing public perceptions, the fifth "Shall We Walk?" festival was intended to strengthen relationships among refugee communities, civic organizations, volunteers and residents. Organizers hope these connections will extend beyond a single afternoon and develop into lasting partnerships, volunteer opportunities and broader community support.

Visit pnan.org for more information.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and a freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.