Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival Goes to Insadong, Seoul

Kimchi, a side dish of fermented and salted vegetables that is rich in vitamins and minerals, is one of Korea's staple foods... and it has been gaining an increasing popularity in other countries.
And to extend its global reach, South Jeolla Province is gearing up for the 18th World Kimchi Culture Festival, which is scheduled to kick off on October 15th... in Gwangju, best known as the Korean 'cradle of delicacies'.
In order to promote the festival, a preview of the month-away global event was held on the bustling streets of Insadong, Seoul.

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[Interview : Christine, Visitor from France] "I've been here since 5 days now, and I've tried it ten times at almost every meal. For me, it may be a little spicy at first but I like it".

During the preview event, the festival's organizing committee and the NGO 'Good Neighbors' pledged to work closely together in order to fulfill the festival's theme, "sharing kimchi adds love".
Also, popular Korean chef Edward Kwon and food researcher Lee Hye-jung demonstrated kimchi-making techniques on site and visitors were able to take the freshly made kimchi home afterwards.

[Interview : Lee Hye-jung, Honorary ambassador Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival ] "My mother grew up eating kimchi my grandmother made, and I grew up eating my mom's kimchi. Kimchi is full of mother's love that is passed onto generations".

Three young chefs, who are sponsored by the festival to travel some 52-thousand kilometers around the globe by bus introducing kimchi to others, also participated in the kimchi-making event.
Foreign visitors tried their hand at mixing red chilli pepper, garlic and other ingredients with Napa cabbage, and were happy to take a jar of kimchi home.

[Interview : Tim Bray, Aysem Bray, Visitors] "We've been living for 5 years here. This is the first time doing it. I'm very excited. Definitely go to the kimchi festival. It's worth it".

Visitors also enjoyed a percussion performance, in which performers acted out chopping cabbage and radish.

[Reporter : Kim Yeon-ji, Reporter yjkim@arirang.co.kr] "The prelude to the Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival gave foreigners the opportunity to try the popular and nutritious Korean food, and have a taste of Korean culture".

Kim Yeon-ji, Arirang News.