[MISSION] Korean Culture Festival to be held in São Paulo days after the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation
2025-08-15On August 15, Korea celebrates the 80th anniversary of Gwangbokjeol (광복절), or Liberation Day, one of the most symbolic dates on the national calendar. The holiday marks the end of Japanese occupation, which lasted from 1910 to 1945, and represents the restoration of Korean sovereignty after decades of foreign domination. More than a political milestone, this date carries a deep historical and emotional meaning for the Korean people, as it symbolizes the reclaiming of national identity and the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s development. The name Gwangbokjeol, which can be translated as “the day the light returned,” reflects this sense of rebirth after a period of darkness imposed by colonization.
Japanese colonization was marked by harsh cultural assimilation policies, such as the prohibition of the Korean language, the imposition of Japanese names, and the suppression of local traditions. In addition, thousands of Koreans were forced into labor and military enlistment for the benefit of the Japanese empire. For this reason, August 15 is also a day to honor those who resisted, such as the activists of the March 1st Movement of 1919, a milestone in the struggle for independence. In 2025, the official ceremony in Korea is expected to have even greater visibility due to the eight-decade anniversary of liberation, with live broadcasts, official speeches, artistic performances, and gatherings between government representatives, veterans, and descendants of those who fought for freedom.
Outside of Korea, diaspora communities also mobilize around this date, reinforcing the importance of cultural preservation and collective memory. In Brazil, home to the largest Korean community in Latin America, this sentiment will be especially celebrated at the Korean Culture Festival, considered the largest event of its kind in the country. In 2025, the festival will take place on August 16 and 17 in the Bom Retiro neighborhood of São Paulo. A traditional hub for Korean immigration, the area is home to key businesses, churches, and community associations, and has served for decades as a reference point for cultural and social expressions linked to Korea.
The Korean Culture Festival aims to showcase and promote both traditional and contemporary aspects of Korea through a diverse and accessible program. Over the course of two days, visitors will enjoy stalls with traditional food, folk dance performances, K-pop cover groups, cultural workshops, and activities focused on Korean fashion, technology, and visual arts. Although it is not an official extension of the Gwangbokjeol celebrations, the event takes place in a context of cultural affirmation closely tied to the historic date and helps strengthen bonds between Koreans and Brazilians through symbolic and emotional exchange.
Relations between Brazil and Korea date back to the early 1960s, when the first Korean immigrants arrived in the country seeking better living conditions after the Korean War. Over time, these families established businesses, schools, and churches, forming a solid community, especially in São Paulo. Since then, the Korean presence has expanded and diversified, gaining visibility not only through economic contributions but also through cultural influence, especially with the rise of the so-called “Hallyu wave,” which popularized K-pop, Korean dramas, and cuisine in various parts of the world.
The timing of the festival, just after Liberation Day, reinforces the ongoing effort to preserve and promote Korean identity both within and beyond Asia. While it honors the struggles of the past, the event also looks to the future, engaging new generations of Brazilians and Korean descendants in a movement of multicultural appreciation. For visitors, it is a chance to experience firsthand the artistic expressions, flavors, and values that have shaped Korea’s history and continue to inspire connections on a global scale.
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