Korea Festival in Beşiktaş

The Korea Festival, organized in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Istanbul, World OKTA, and the Korean Association, was hosted by Beşiktaş Municipality at Cüneyt Arkın Sanatçılar Park. Bringing together Korean culture, cuisine, music, dance, and a variety of cultural activities, the festival attracted tens of thousands of visitors throughout the day.

From the early hours of the morning, visitors gathered at the festival grounds to experience Korean culture firsthand. A photo exhibition dedicated to Korean War veterans, displayed at the entrance of the park, highlighted the longstanding friendship between Türkiye and the Republic of Korea.

The festival programme featured games, workshops, cultural activities, and live performances. One of the highlights of the day was a traditional Korean fan dance performance, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience. Visitors also enjoyed Korean music and participated in dance competitions, showcasing their talents on stage.

Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Rasim Şişman opened his remarks by greeting participants in Korean and welcoming them to the festival. Emphasizing the enduring friendship between Türkiye and Korea, he noted that the event brought together Beşiktaş’s vibrant energy and Korea’s rich cultural heritage. He also underlined the important role of culture, arts, and gastronomy in strengthening ties between the two countries.

Highlighting the festival’s social solidarity dimension, Şişman thanked all contributors who supported fundraising efforts benefiting children affected by leukemia. He also announced that Beşiktaş Municipality had completed preparations for Korean language courses and cultural workshops, which are scheduled to begin in October, with applications opening soon.

In his remarks, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Istanbul Lee Woo-Sung expressed his pleasure at participating in an event dedicated to sharing Korean culture and strengthening cultural exchange.

At the conclusion of the festival, representatives of the Türkiye Korean Association and World OKTA Istanbul presented a commemorative plaque to Deputy Mayor Rasim Şişman in recognition of Beşiktaş Municipality’s contribution to the event.