Families from 16 nations gather at Gurye multicultural festival

Multicultural families make up 3.2% of Gurye-gun's population; event organized by Gurye-gun Family Center, operated under Jirisan Daehwaeomsa Temple

More than 850 people from multicultural families came together in Gurye-gun, South Jeolla Province, transcending differences in nationality, language and culture at a festival of unity.

The Gurye-gun Family Center, operated under Jirisan Daehwaeomsa Temple — the head temple of the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism — held the 9th Gurye Together Harmony Festival 2026 on Saturday at the Gurye Indoor Gymnasium, drawing about 850 residents centered on multicultural families.

Co-hosted by Jirisan Daehwaeomsa Temple, Gurye-gun and the Gurye District Office of Education, and organized by the Gurye-gun Family Center, the event carried the subtitle "A family harmony festival united through shared culture." It brought multicultural and non-multicultural families together to understand and respect each other's cultures while fostering communication and unity among local residents.

Despite autumn rain, about 850 multicultural and non-multicultural families and local residents turned out, showing strong interest and enthusiasm.

The festival opened with a magic bubble show by the "Widaehan Gongdan" performance troupe, followed by a dance performance by "Viva Together," a team made up of marriage immigrants.

A flag-raising ceremony representing countries from around the world, a commemorative ceremony and a traditional costume parade followed, creating a stage where diverse cultures came together.

The highlight of the event was a flag-raising ceremony for 16 nations — the first of its kind in Gurye-gun.

Marriage immigrants representing each country raised their home nation's flag, sharing pride in their homeland and a sense of belonging as members of the Gurye community.

The sight of flags from different nations flying side by side symbolized the value of a community where people respect one another across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. The event carried added significance in that marriage immigrants participated not merely as attendees but as active agents of cultural exchange.

Throughout the venue, visitors could sample traditional foods from Vietnam, the Philippines, China and Korea, try on traditional costumes from around the world, play traditional games, take photos at a photo zone, get face painting, enjoy balloon art and make Dubai Chewy Cookies.

Bounce houses and ball therapy massage experiences proved particularly popular with children and drew an enthusiastic response.

A fun sports competition and talent show brought multicultural and non-multicultural families and local residents together in laughter and cheering, bridging nationalities and generations.

"It was meaningful to introduce our traditional culture and experience other countries' cultures firsthand," said one multicultural family member who attended. "We were happy to create wonderful memories together as a family."

The event held special significance beyond a family cultural festival — it was an occasion to affirm the value of a community that respects cultural diversity and brings local residents together.

Particularly notable was the participation of multicultural and non-multicultural families and local residents through the Gurye-gun Family Center, operated under Jirisan Daehwaeomsa Temple, which some say put into practice Buddhist values of compassion, inclusivity, sharing and coexistence within the local community.

"The first-ever flag-raising ceremony for 16 nations in Gurye-gun carries the meaning of respecting the homelands and cultures of marriage immigrants and living together as cherished members of our community," said Park Mi-yeon, director of the Gurye-gun Family Center. "We will continue to build a happy local community where all families respect and support one another and grow together."

The Gurye-gun Family Center plans to expand opportunities for communication and exchange that respect cultural diversity and involve all families.

Meanwhile, Gurye-gun's population stood at 24,684 as of late October, of whom about 800 people across 220 households — roughly 3.2% — belong to multicultural families, a share that has been rising every year.