On October 23, the cultural diversity festival 'MAMF 2026' officially opened in Changwon, South Korea, showcasing the traditions of 22 countries.
This year marks the 21st edition of MAMF, themed 'Twenty-One, One World,' running until October 25 at Yongji Cultural Park, Seongsan Art Hall, and Central Avenue. Attendees can enjoy a variety of programs, including traditional performances, food, crafts, and cultural experiences throughout the city.
According to Changwon City, the opening ceremony held at 6:30 PM on October 23 at the main stage of Yongji Cultural Park was attended by Changwon Mayor Kang Ki-yoon, Gyeongnam Province Deputy Governor Park Il-woong, Changwon City Council Chairperson Lee Hae-ryeon, and Ali Sher Abdusalomov, the Uzbek Ambassador to South Korea, along with various diplomatic representatives and local residents.
The ceremony began with a performance by the 'Everyone' choir, followed by the opening declaration, welcome speeches, congratulatory remarks, and a festive performance. Key attendees shared the festival's significance of celebrating a 'one world' where diverse cultures come together.
Following the opening, the National Arts Ensemble of Uzbekistan, this year's guest country, and invited cultural performance groups showcased traditional cultural presentations. The band N.Flying also performed, adding to the festivities on the first day.
The festival features participation from 22 countries and 10 embassies in South Korea. Each country's expatriate community has planned and organized performances and cultural experience programs, creating opportunities for migrants and citizens to engage with each other's cultures.
On the second day, October 24, a multicultural drawing competition for elementary, middle, and high school students took place at Yongji Cultural Park at 10 AM. At 2 PM, a special cultural performance featuring the National Arts Ensemble of Uzbekistan and the Korea National University of Arts was held at the Seongsan Art Hall.
Yongji Cultural Park also hosted fringe and busking performances by local amateur artists, while at 7 PM, the 'Korea Migrant Song Contest' showcased talents from the migrant community through song and dance.
On the final day, October 25, the 'Migrants Arirang' event will take place from 11 AM to 3 PM at Yongji Cultural Park, Pojeongsa Park, Seongsan Art Hall, and Central Avenue, featuring cultural festivals where migrant communities introduce their cultures.
From 4 PM to 5 PM, the main event of the festival, the 'Cultural Diversity Parade,' will take place along Changwon Central Avenue and Yongji Cultural Park, showcasing cultural characteristics from various countries.
At 6 PM, an awards ceremony for the drawing competition and parade will be held, followed by a closing performance at 7 PM featuring international musicians and artists at the main stage of Yongji Cultural Park.
In addition to performances, the festival will offer ongoing programs where visitors can experience the daily cultures of various countries.
A special cultural booth introducing Uzbekistan's culture will be set up at Yongji Cultural Park. The 'World Travel from the City' program will allow attendees to enjoy cultural experiences prepared by embassies and expatriate communities.
Changwon Central Avenue will feature a 'Global Village Cultural Market' and 'Global Street Food,' where visitors can browse crafts and traditional products from different countries and taste various international cuisines. Cultural experiences and market activities will run from 10 AM to 6 PM.
A space providing living information for migrants will also be available. The consultation and policy promotion booth will offer advice on employment, labor, finance, and educational support policies.
During the festival, vehicle traffic will be restricted in the Changwon Central Avenue area. The section from KBS Intersection to the Health Insurance Corporation will be closed from 9 PM on October 22 until midnight on October 25, and the area from Gyeongnam Administrative Hall to KBS Intersection will be restricted from 8 AM on October 24 until midnight on October 25.
Notably, on October 25, the day of the Cultural Diversity Parade, traffic will be restricted in both directions between the Gyeongnam Education Office and Choi Yun-deok Intersection from 8 AM to 7 PM.
Mayor Kang Ki-yoon urged citizens to understand and cooperate with the traffic restrictions for a safe and enjoyable festival, expressing hope that the 21st MAMF would be a venue for mutual respect among cultures and harmony between migrants and citizens.
Detailed event schedules and traffic information can be found on the Changwon City website and the official MAMF website.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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