Gimhae City is drawing attention with a series of vibrant cultural events that connect the past and present, from a special international cultural exchange honoring the relationship between King Kim Suro and Queen Heo Hwang-ok 2,000 years ago to family-oriented activities for vulnerable children in the community.
On September 17, from 3:40 PM to 5 PM, the '2026 Love-India Cultural Festival' will take place at the Gimhae Culture Center's Aedureum Square, organized by the Indian Embassy in Korea and the Indian Cultural Center in Korea.
'Sarang' means 'love' in Korean and also signifies 'harmony of various colors' in Hindi. This festival aims to introduce the diverse charms of Indian classical dance, music, and art to Korea. It will kick off in Seoul on September 15 and will tour major cities including Gimhae, Busan, and Miryang until September 22. Gimhae, known for its historical connection to the meeting of Queen Heo Hwang-ok and King Kim Suro, holds significant symbolic value for cultural exchange between the two countries.
The highlight of the event will be a performance by the Nrityantar Dance Ensemble, led by Madhulita Mohapatra, which will showcase 'Odissi,' one of India's eight classical dance forms. The graceful poses and intricate hand gestures of Odissi will be complemented by the beautiful melodies of the Gimhae City Gayageum Ensemble, demonstrating a fusion of Eastern and Western arts. The performance is free for all citizens to attend.
Families Come Together at Dream Start's 'Memory Adding Dream Festival'
Prior to this, on September 12, a meaningful event for local children was held at the Gimhae City Hall conference room, organized by Gimhae City as part of the 'Memory Adding Dream Festival.'
About 100 Dream Start children and their caregivers participated in various recreational activities and a cooperative mini-sports event. The festival aimed to strengthen family bonds in homes where communication has been limited due to busy schedules and a lack of leisure activities. Participants were also provided with warm lunch boxes and snacks.
Currently, Gimhae City's Dream Start program has invested a total of 571 million won this year to ensure equitable nurturing conditions for vulnerable children aged 0 to 12. The program offers 27 tailored initiatives for 300 case-managed children and their families.
Kim Joo-yeon, head of the city's Child and Youth Department, stated, "We wanted to create unforgettable happy memories for the children and a healing time for the parents to connect fully. We will continue to expand family-centered programs to help Dream Start children grow up bright and healthy."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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