The following article was written by Dan Lister. It first appeared in the October 2007 edition of the Gwangju News and it reviews that year’s Gwangju International Community Day.
This year’s Community Day takes place this coming Saturday on October 9th at the Kimdaejung Convention Centre.
(Reading Dan's article will give you an idea of some of the things you should be able to see and do if you attend this year's event. You can click here and here for more information about it.)
Gwangju International Community Days are fast growing a reputation amongst the community as a day out worthy of mention in anyone’s upcoming social calendar. A day to experience the cultures of those who you perhaps don’t even realize are in Gwangju till such a day occurs, it brings the community together and gives Koreans and foreigners alike the chance to sample and enjoy cultures exotic to their own. Unfortunately in the case of the weekend of the 15th’s 13th annual community day, numerous people could be forgiven for canceling GIC Day based plans upon one look at the disastrous weather as they awoke to open their curtains on Sunday morning.
Coming across the flat concrete plains of Sangmu Jigu one could potentially fail to realize the day out was going ahead. Through the rain, muffled music could be heard via the PA system, though signs of civilization were clear in the shape of multi-colored canopies, it looked eerily quiet. In the foreground, nomadic looking assistants, decked out in yellow rain maks scattered along the titanic-esque looking city hall’s surroundings, could be seen scuttling round putting the final stages of preparation together. Though alas huddling together under the canopies, like Emperor penguins staying close to conserve heat, it became obvious that small army of local residents had braved the rain to show support, and experience foreign delights.
Although the typhoon, an unwelcome representative of South-East Asian culture, showed no signs of giving up, people put on a brave face and refused let a day be spoiled by nature’s worst, whilst organizers did their best to combat the situation by providing raincoats for all whom needed and never letting the rain dampen their smiles.
Under the canopies the laughter and banter of residents old and new helped keep peoples minds from the wet clothes they wore, or was that the work of the free beer? The foreign food tents were a raging success as always. The constant wall of people outside the Mexican stand was a clear indication that it was a hit, the buzz of drooling people idling the handy work as the chef turned the fine Italian sausages on the foreign food stall another one, the Mongolian stand sold all food within a couple of hours only to bring a vehicle carrying an equal sized portion to see it sell out again, and the Nepalese food which took the crown for most popular after the public took to the sticker board, represented four valid reasons amongst others to make the day out more worthwhile.
As consumers chatted, whilst waiting for space in their stomachs for their next dish of desire the talent show took center stage. This year seemed to offer a wider portfolio of talent, and the diversity was enough to encourage umbrella-bearing viewers to get as close to the stage as possible. South East Asia gave a strong representation with song and dance from Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines proving particularly popular. A well-choreographed routine under the banner of St. Andrew was on show on behalf of Scotland. Traditional Korean music meant that the home team’s culture got the viewing it required, and of course no GIC day would be complete without a couple of guitar wielding ESL teachers doing their “thing” on the stage. In the end it was the Filipino dance troop that took the gold, much to the delight of their many watching fans who’d quickly become as wet as they were happy, though in true cliché fashion they were clearly all winners in the sense that they’d all contributed to providing some cultural education and fun for those in attendance, edu-tainment if you will.
The raffle followed in which people really got their money’s worth. Tickets sold fast, though due to the lower than expected turnout the ratio of smiling faces belonging to raffle winners was high, and one lucky punter walked away with a bike, digital camera and gift voucher which – like the other prizes – were all kindly provided by Shinsaegae Department store. As the raffle closed the day concluded, and people ducked and dived into their means of transport to make their trips home to their hot showers they so greatly craved. Though the damp clothes wouldn’t remain, it’s clear that the smiles would and all those who’d gone would surely have been glad they did, despite the risk of impending risk of pneumonia. As the vastly terrific volunteers took to wrapping up the event, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air, though this was accompanied still by the unwelcome rain, it was apparent the conditions were far from great, the best out of a poor situation had clearly been made. It was sad to think those who’d stayed at home might have missed out on a rare opportunity, especially for those teachers on 12 month contracts, because who knows when the chance to eat barbecued hot-dogs whilst watching exotic Asian dancers on stage will come round again?
By Dan Lister
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