While spring seems around the corner as March approaches, Korea is still cold under minus-degree temperatures and it has been snowing lately. Except for much of those politically motivated protests and demonstrations happening outdoors, cultural and entertainment events are bound inside halls and venues.
On Feb. 22, 2025, Saturday, we were invited to enjoy a refreshing WORLD CULTURE GRAND SHOW under the Good News Corps Homecoming Festival organized by the WE TOGETHER Foreigners Support Center at the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Center, in Seoul. Thousands of people attended this event. It was so colorful, featuring musical pieces, band performances, and cultural dances from India, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. In addition, a small cultural bazaar was on display.
Here are some photos of the World Culture Grand Show:
The Good News Corps Homecoming Festival is a presentation of volunteers about what they’ve learned in the field and the newfound happiness they’ve gained in serving others.
Since 2002, this worldwide youth organization and international NGO based on the Christian mindset and inspired by the slogan “exchange your youth for their hearts” has dispatched over six thousand volunteers globally.
IYF’s mission is to raise leaders with global insight through youth education and activities and, to provide realistic solutions to problems in the global village. It has been active in 89 countries and Korean college students spend a year living with the local people. They have the opportunity to learn and experience the three C’s: Change– “True change of life that begins from the heart”, Challenge– “A New Challenge to overcome one’s limitations and to experience endless possibilities”, and Cohesion– “A true cohesive mind that transcends ethnicity, nationality, language, and religion”. They also act as civilian diplomats, introducing the Korean culture. It’s said that between 400-600 volunteers are dispatched to 84 countries every year.
The IYF’s main programs include: Educational Services which provide academy classes such as taekwondo, music, computer, dance, and mind lectures, Community Services that create awareness about the environmental preservation ‘Clean Campaign’, and Volunteer Service for residents and the community. The Cultural Diplomacy program includes teaching Korean culture by making traditional clothing, cuisine, traditional games, Korean language classes, as well as local World Culture Camping. Mission Work encourages moneyless witnessing trips and youth counseling activities. The Civilian Diplomacy facilitates the Leader’s Forum and Special Guest Lectures.
The homecoming festivals they have organized have attracted over 250,000 attendees. The official IYF website states that the annual Homecoming Festival was a vivid report of the Good News Corps’ activities. Although they have experienced different cultures and languages, they have the same passion flowing in their hearts. Through the Good News Corps Overseas volunteer service, they took one small step towards a life of living for others, and they conveyed their energy of happiness throughout the performance, which included true stories, homecoming reports, and personal experiences.
The WE TOGETHER Foreigners Support Center, this event’s organizer, was established to facilitate the adaptation and stable settlement of foreigners in Korea, encompassing both cultural assimilation and day-to-day living needs.
For more information, please visit: International Youth Fellowship
All photos were taken during the festival by Bereket Alemayehu.
