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Kingston Korean Festival: 17 August 2013

The Kingston Korean Festival will be held as usual in the Fairfield Recreation Ground Kingston KT1 2PY (map) on 17 August. Here is a welcome message from Christopher Kwon, chairman of the Korean Residents’ Society, who organise the festival.

The 16th Korean Festival 2013

Outline of the Festival

Mask from 2012 Korean festival

The Korean Festival is to be held on Saturday the 17th of August 2013. In 2013, ‘TOGETHER’ has been chosen as a theme to promote togetherness within communities and global friendship. A wider variety of cultural activities and performances will be showcased than previously held. This year traditional Korean music and dance will be complimented by performances from other cultures including Africa and Nepal. Also, there will be a greater emphasis on traditional Korean folk games giving you an opportunity to experience Korean culture.

The Festival is being organised by the Korean Residents Society and sponsored by the Korean Embassy, Korean National Tourism Organisation, Samsung, LG, Hyundai, plus local businesses. The festival is to commemorate the Liberation of Korea and to help bridge the gap between Korean members and local members of our community.

The Korean Festival, previously attended by 10,000 people is one of the largest community festivals in London as well as in Europe. This year’s festival has particular significance for the Free Trade Agreement between the E.U and Korea, which has been effective since July 2011, creating a platform for extensive communication between cultures. The Korean Residents Society has invited a number of Korean companies and local enterprises to promote their products and raise their brand awareness, bringing variety to the cultural event.

I would very much like you to participate in this festival; attached is a summary of the festival’s details.
Yours faithfully,
Christopher KWON
Chairman

Kingston Festival Poster

1] Purpose

The Korean Festival aims to commemorate the Liberation day of Korea. On this day we remember the sacrifice of the patriots who died for the independence of Korea. At the same time, it is the place to learn about different cultures and build friendship among community members. This would be the 16th Korean Festival (previously called Anglo Korean Festival) which is the largest Korean festival in Europe, bringing together Koreans from all over Europe. The festival is also intended to introduce the Korean culture to local and multi-cultural communities. Every year we prepare new and varied cultural activities, performances and events and encourage other nationalities to become involved.

2] Summary of the Festival

A – Organiser: Korean Residents Society
B – Name: The 16th Korean Festival and Liberation Day Ceremony
C – Date & Time: Saturday 17th of August, 10:30 – 18:30.
D – Participants: Korean & local communities.
E – Place: Fairfield Recreation Ground, Kingston KT1 2PY
F – Nature: Cultural performances, displays, food, traditional folk games.
G – Expected number of people: Around 10,000

3] Display Facilities

A – Main Stage Banner
B – Exhibition booths for Charities and Large organisations
C – Exhibition booths for Large Korean/British companies
D – Food stalls
E – Flea market for SME, charities and individuals
E – Fun Zone: Korean traditional folk games and Bouncy castle for families

4] Entertainment Main stage

Part One 11:00 ~ 12:00
A – Liberation Day & Festival Opening Ceremony.
B – British Veterans’ parade & honorary events.

Part Two 12:00 ~ 6:00
A – Korean traditional music and dance
B – Martial Arts performance
C – African Drumming
D – Korean Brass quintet
E – Special feature – Traditional Nepalese Dance
F – Popping Dance
G – Raffle prize draw

Fun Zone

– Traditional Korean Folk games
– Photo zone for a photo opportunity with Korean King and Queen characters in Traditional Korean Costume
– Bouncy castle for kids
– Workshops – Calligraphy, African drumming

Links:

4 thoughts on “Kingston Korean Festival: 17 August 2013

    1. Still no news. If there is one, my money would be on 16 August, but it’s getting a little close even for the famous last-minute organisational abilities of the Koreans.

  1. Dear Christopher Kwon,

    Robert O’Dowd of the Rose Theatre has asked me to organise a Kingston/Korea festival for the first week in next August (2015). I have only just found out that you have been organising similar ones in previous years. My apologies. I have no wish to clash with you. Our website (above) is being built, but it will give you a broad picture of our aims and ambitions. Would you and your supporters be prepared to work with us? If you are interested, my phone numbers are: [redacted]. I look forward to hearing from you, all the best, John

    1. John
      Hopefully you got a reply to your aol address. If not, check your spam folder. aol for some reason is particularly averse to email received from this domain name.
      Philip

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