Participants of the 16th Holi Hai Festival pose at the Sunshine Miryang Theme Park’s Yoga Culture Town in South Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Courtesy of Indians in Korea Community
Around 1,000 Korean citizens and international residents came together for the 16th Holi Hai Festival in a vibrant celebration of culture, wellness and community, the Indians in Korea (IIK) community said Wednesday.
The IIK hosted the event, inspired by the famous Hindu “Festival of Colors” across the world, with the Indian Students and Researchers in Korea (ISRK) at the Sunshine Miryang Theme Park’s Yoga Culture Town in South Gyeongsang Province on Sunday.
Creating a lively atmosphere filled with music, cultural activities and colorful celebrations, the event was also welcomed by Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-geun, who highlighted growing cultural ties and friendship between Korea and India. The event was also attended by Suresh Kumar, second secretary and head of Consular Wing and Community Affairs at the Embassy of India in Korea, according to an event official.
Holi is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, marking the arrival of spring and renewal. Rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil, often associated with the folktale of Prahlad and Holika.
Traditionally celebrated across India and many parts of the world, Holi has brought people together through music, dance and the playful throwing of colored powder, symbolizing joy, equality and the breaking down of social barriers.
In Korea, the Holi Hai Festival has been held annually since 2011. For this year’s event, the IIK and ISRK joined hands with the City of Miryang to not only promote cultural exchanges between two countries but also provide a platform for interaction between Korean citizens and the international community, the official added.
The festival opened with a traditional drum ceremony, setting an energetic tone for the day’s events. Throughout the afternoon, the stage hosted a series of performances that entertained the diverse audience.
Following performances included guitar gigs, belly and pop dance and Bollywood shows. Participants also gathered for a group photo session, celebrating the diverse international community participating in the festival.
Besides the main stage, visitors were allowed to explore various interactive cultural experience zones including yoga & wellness activities, Hindi writing experience and traditional Indian games.
Source: Korea Times News
