Yangju, South Korea – The serene forests of the National ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, will come alive with the vibrant flavors and traditions of Southeast Asia and Central Asia during the 2024 ASEAN Food Culture Festival. Organized by the Korea Forest Service’s National Natural Recreation Forest Management Office, the festival will take place on October 19th and 20th, offering a unique platform for cultural exchange between ASEAN and Central Asian students.
The National ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest, opened in 2015, was established to strengthen the bonds between South Korea and Asian nations through cultural and environmental collaboration. The forest features traditional houses from 10 ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the region. This distinctive setting provides an ideal backdrop for the festival, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional architecture while immersed in nature.
The forest’s focus on cultural preservation and sustainable tourism has made it a hub for cultural diplomacy. Events like the 2024 ASEAN Food Culture Festival embody the spirit of fostering mutual understanding and friendship, making the forest a symbol of unity among Asian nations.
The festival is closely tied to the mission of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), a regional body that promotes sustainable forest management and climate resilience. AFoCO started as a collaborative effort between South Korea and the 10 ASEAN countries and has since grown to include 15 member countries, including Bhutan, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan, with Malaysia participating as an observer.
AFoCO’s mission goes beyond environmental goals, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange and collaboration. South Korea’s leadership in AFoCO has helped to create initiatives like the ASEAN Food Culture Festival, blending environmental conservation with cultural exchange.
This year’s festival will bring together 44 students from countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Mongolia, offering them a platform to share their cultural heritage through food. The event will feature a variety of activities, including workshops on traditional clothing, culinary demonstrations, and cultural performances.
Participants will have the opportunity to prepare and share traditional dishes from their respective countries, while also learning about the rich flavors of Korean cuisine. From Indonesian rendang to Myanmar’s mohinga, the festival will serve as a culinary journey, highlighting the diverse food traditions that represent the heart of ASEAN culture.
One of the highlights of the event is a cooking workshop where participants will learn to make popular Korean dishes, such as kimchi and bibimbap, fostering a deeper appreciation for Korean food culture. Through these hands-on experiences, the festival aims to create connections among participants and celebrate the power of food as a universal language.
In addition to culinary activities, the festival will also offer workshops in K-Pop dance, allowing participants to engage with a key aspect of modern Korean culture. The dance sessions have proven especially popular, with students eager to experience the global phenomenon that has made K-Pop a cultural touchstone.
The event’s broader goal is to facilitate mutual understanding among young people from different cultural backgrounds, promoting respect and friendship through shared experiences. “We hope that this event helps ASEAN and Central Asian students gain a better understanding of Korean culture while also sharing their own traditions,” said Kim Myung-jong, Director of the National Natural Recreation Forest Management Office. “Our aim is to continue these exchanges through various forest-based programs in the future.”
The 2024 ASEAN Food Culture Festival builds on the success of a similar event held in May 2023. That festival attracted 35 students from countries like the Philippines and Kazakhstan, who took part in traditional costume experiences, cooking classes, and cultural performances. The positive feedback from participants, who appreciated the opportunity to immerse themselves in both Korean and ASEAN cultures, highlighted the value of such events in promoting cultural understanding.
The 2023 event’s success paved the way for the expansion of this year’s festival, attracting even more participants and offering a wider range of activities. The organizers hope that this growth reflects a deeper interest in cultural exchange and a desire for continued collaboration between South Korea and its regional neighbors.
Beyond cultural connections, such events also have the potential to boost local tourism. The unique setting of the festival, combined with its focus on regional food culture, makes it an attractive destination for those seeking a deeper cultural experience. The integration of nature, culture, and community has the potential to draw visitors who are interested in the intersection of tradition and modernity.
