Models wearing traditional outfits from many different ethnicities march down the runway during the opening ceremony of the Cultural Diversity Festival 2017, in Busan on May 21. (Busan Cultural Foundation)
By Lee Yoonseo and Kim Young Shin
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism celebrates “Cultural Diversity Week,” under the theme this year of “Enjoy the Difference,” from May 21 to 27, and the first day of the campaign has been officially designated as the day of cultural diversity.
Diversity refers to the varied expressions that people have concerning many factors of their lives, such as nationality, ethnicity, religion or gender, and the many different ways that people all across Korea share their different communities with each other. In 2002, the United Nation declared May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
During this year's Cultural Diversity Week, 27 cities across Korea, including Seoul, Busan Incheon, Gwangju, Cheongju and Yeongwol, will host events to let people indulge in the grand diversity of their communities.
“Only when different people coexist peacefully, and every member of society respects each other, can Korea expand its footprint within the international society,” said the ministry. “We will continue to craft policies that bring forward a new society where people can communicate freely and share the value and charms of the other communities.”