BY SHELMA SIBANDA
The Korea Festival 2025 turned Bulawayo into a stage of color, rhythm, and cross-cultural friendship on Friday, as hundreds of residents young and old clapped, sang, and danced along to Korean performances.
The event, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in partnership with Jeonbuk Province and the City of Bulawayo, showcased Korea’s growing global influence through K-pop, traditional dance, film, and cuisine.
“Korea and Zimbabwe may be far apart on the map, but tonight you can feel how close we are in spirit,” said His Excellency, Ambassador Park Jae Kyung in his opening remarks.
Ambassador empasised, “This festival is not just about Korean performances. It is about collaboration,it is our festival together.”
K-Pop and Global Soft Power
Children in the audience sang along word-for-word to K-pop hits, reflecting how deeply Korean music has penetrated global youth culture. Some even joined performers on stage, showing the universal appeal of the upbeat rhythms and dynamic choreography.
The program was not just K-pop that drew cheers rather included traditional Korean dances, drumming, and music, reminding audiences that Korea’s cultural exports are rooted in a long history that complements its modern global wave.
A Feast of Korean Cuisine and Film
Festival-goers also sampled authentic Korean food at booths arranged by the visiting delegation from Jeonbuk Province, including kimchi, noodles, bulgogi, and rice dishes. For many in Bulawayo, it was their first taste of Korea’s food culture, which, like K-pop, has gained worldwide popularity.
Film screenings and visual displays added another layer, highlighting how Korean cinema and dramas from historical epics to globally acclaimed productions have become staples of international entertainment.
Bulawayo’s Warm Welcome
Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart applauded the festival for bringing global culture to Bulawayo while showcasing the city’s hospitality.
“The ambassador and I have been amazed at this crowd. “You have shown the warmth, art, and culture that make Bulawayo the City of Kings and Queens,” said Coltart.
Adding a personal note, Coltart revealed, “My youngest daughter loves K-pop and she has brought me up on it. So I am looking forward to enjoying the performances tonight.”
For the Ambassador, however, the night’s most powerful message was the unity felt on the stage and in the audience. “Let us clap, dance, and cheer together,” he told the crowd. “Let us celebrate the bridges being built between Korea and Zimbabwe.”
As the evening closed with both Korean and Zimbabwean performers sharing the stage, the message was clear, the Korean Wave has found a home in Bulawayo, and cultural diplomacy is weaving stronger bonds between the two nations.