KF뉴스레터-[Bridging the World] 2023 Korea Festival in Melbourne

[Bridging the World] 2023 Korea Festival in Melbourne

Features > 2023 Korea Festival in Melbourne

2023 Korea Festival in Melbourne

On May 13, the 2023 Korea Festival returned to the heart of Melbourne, Australia, for the first time since 2020, after a 3-year suspension due to COVID-19 restrictions. Organized by the Korean Consulate in Melbourne, as many as 50,000 people took part in the festival at Federation Square.

A wide variety of performances and events showcased Korean culture spanning from ancient times to the present day. Performances were given by the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Preservation Society and the 20th Century B-Boys singing “Holo Arirang (Arirang Sung Alone)” and “I’m Australian,” were met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from the audience.

Visitors also had an opportunity to experience Korean culture more directly, tasting Korean dishes like tteokbokki, the stir-fried rice cake soaked in red pepper sauce or soy sauce; bibimbap, rice mixed with meat and vegetables; and dakgangjeong, the bite-size, deep-fried chicken glazed in sweet and spicy sauce. They could also play Korean folk games such as the Yunnori board game and Tuho (pitch-pot), wear hanbok (traditional Korean attire) and try writing in Hangeul, the Korean alphabet.

There were booths promoting Korean food products, including instant ramyeon noodles; gim, the popular dried seaweed; and patjuk (red bean porridge). As part of the festival, a K-pop competition was held to select the Melbourne finalists for the K-Pop World Festival. As many as 16 teams comprising 97 performers took to the stage and captivated the audience with their outstanding vocal skills and eye-catching performances.

The Korea Festival has become one of the most influential multicultural events in the Melbourne area, bringing Korean tradition and contemporary culture into the local community and enhancing Korea’s status in Australia.