On Saturday, November 15, the Injeolmi Team held a potluck party designed to encourage participants from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their cultures and deepen mutual understanding. A total of nine participants took part in the program, with members representing a wide range of nationalities, including South Korea, Türkiye, Morocco, and Azerbaijan, creating a vibrant space for multicultural exchange.

The event consisted of two main activities: ▲ sharing and introducing traditional foods from each country and ▲ a cultural exchange session featuring popular singers and music from participants’ home countries. During the food-sharing session, participants brought dishes from their respective cultures and introduced the culinary traditions behind them. Participants from Azerbaijan prepared traditional tea and shared their country’s tea and snack culture, while Korean participants introduced gimbap and patjuk (red bean porridge traditionally eaten during seasonal observances), highlighting Korea’s seasonal food culture. In addition, a participant from Türkiye shared locally prepared kebabs and explained the cultural background associated with the dish, receiving enthusiastic responses from attendees.

The program then continued with a music-sharing session, during which participants introduced well-known singers and songs from their home countries and listened to them together. By comparing different musical styles, participants gained a deeper appreciation of cultural codes and the unique appeal of music across countries.

Participants responded positively to the potluck party, describing it as a meaningful cultural exchange experience. One participant shared, “It was my first time listening to music from Arab countries, and learning about the meaning of the lyrics made the experience even more engaging.” Another participant remarked, “I was especially impressed by patjuk, which is eaten during seasonal periods in Korea. Using food and music as familiar mediums made it easy to understand one another naturally.”

Through this program, the Injeolmi Team created an opportunity to deepen cultural understanding and exchange among individuals from diverse backgrounds. The team plans to continue organizing a wide range of programs aimed at promoting Korean Studies and cross-cultural engagement. Updates on the program, activity photos, and behind-the-scenes content can be found on the Injeolmi Team’s official Instagram account, @injeolmi_inha.

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