By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the opening ceremony of the Seoul World City Culture Festival 2024 (Seoul Friendship Festival), held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on May 24, 2024.

The event began with an opening speech by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, followed by a congratulatory speech by Ambassador Abdulla Saif Alnuaimi of UAE to Korea.

This year's festival was held from May 24 to 26 at Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggye Plaza, and Cheonggyero, under the theme of “Seoul and the World Together through Culture.” The stage was decorated as a global festival where people could experience cultures from around the world. 

 
Embassies and cultural centers from 70 countries participated, the largest number since COVID-19. The festival had various programs such as the World Traditional Costume Parade, World Cultural Performance Stage, World Embassy Promotion, World City Tourism Promotion, World Cube Photo Exhibition, World City Cinema, World Food and Dessert Zone, and K-Food Zone.  

More than 500 people attended the opening ceremony at 6 p.m., including foreign embassy officials, foreigners in Korea, international performers, and citizens.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Oh expressed his hope that the festival will become a place of harmony and exchange where people can understand the diverse cultures of each country and share deep friendships, and delivered a message that Seoul will expand cultural exchanges with other cities around the world and take the lead in solving common problems in global cities.

At the opening ceremony, Mayor Oh and the diplomatic delegation performed a paper airplane flying performance with the meaning of 'accompaniment' with citizens. 

 
The mayor then met with the diplomatic corps to introduce Seoul as a global city of attraction. The Seoul Foreign Residents Policy Master Plan was introduced, and the Seoul Smart Stripe Week, which will be held in Seoul in October, was also promoted.