World Youth Festival

[Anchor Lead]

About 200 young Koreans from 25 countries around the world held an event celebrating their heritage. In our next report we bring you a look at the 2016 World Youth Festival organized by the youth themselves.

[Pkg]

Young people pack the stage and dance enthusiastically to a K-pop song. The beat of Korean traditional music that stimulates the senses is a new experience for them.

[Soundbite] Song Sarah(orean-Argentinian) : "There was a drum, which sounded unusual. It felt new because it seemed to express nature."

Some 200 Korean college students born or raised in 26 countries around the world have come to experience their heritage. Young Korean expats and local youths mingle casually on the stage, and the wings of the festival venue are bustling with vendors selling various items. A groom and a bride walk down a green lawn. The couple, who couldn't afford a wedding, are now holding the ceremony at an outdoor plaza with many guests congratulating their union. These events have all been organized by young people.

[Soundbite] Kim Seong-chan(Youth Director, World Youth Festival) : "This isn't a difficult event, because the youths themselves organized it. Visitors just have to enjoy the fun and passion."

The city of Gwangju has expanded the cultural events held in affiliation with the Summer Universiade 2015 to host the World Youth Festival. The celebration will continue until the 30th in the vicinity of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju.