한국어
The 5th KC Arirang Festival, hosted by the Korean American Society of Greater Kansas City (KASGKC) from September 27 to 29, 2024, successfully concluded with a series of vibrant events. This year’s festival, held at the UMKC Student Union in collaboration with the UMKC Applied Language School, was enriched by the sponsorship of the Overseas Koreans Agency, the Korean Consulate General in Chicago, and the participation of various Korean organizations and businesses.
The event included support from KU’s Department of East Asian Studies, the UMKC Korean Student Association, Kansas City Korean School, 92 Chicken, Tous Les Jours, State Avenue Dental Office, Grandview Chiropractic, Central Baptist Seminary, and Jeong’s Taekwondo, among others. Jeonju City provided 150 traditional Taeguk fans and promotional materials, offering attendees a unique opportunity to experience Korean culture firsthand.
The festivities began on September 27 with a K-Street Food event at CM Chicken, where around 100 attendees enjoyed diverse Korean dishes, traditional games, and karaoke. The main event on September 28 saw over 1,000 visitors filling the UMKC Student Union to enjoy a variety of performances, including a traditional Korean dance team from Chicago, a taekwondo demonstration by Jeong’s Taekwondo, a traditional wedding ceremony, and a puppet show.
Special guest Consul General Kim Jung-han from Chicago expressed his delight during an interview, saying, “I am thrilled to see both the Korean and local communities coming together to celebrate Korean culture at this festival.” KASGKC President Moon Kyunghwan shared his thoughts: “It was incredibly meaningful to hold this event in partnership with UMKC. We are especially grateful for the support from the Chicago Consulate General and the Overseas Koreans Agency. A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work, and we hope to make the festival even more successful next year.”
Jeremy Slagovski, Dean at UMKC, stated, “It’s an honor for UMKC to host such a meaningful event with the Korean community. We look forward to continuing our partnership with KASGKC and expanding our collaborations in the future.” Representing the Kansas City Mayor’s office, State Department Advisor Jeffery Londermeier attended the festival and noted, “This event was a valuable opportunity to connect Kansas City with Korea and learn more about the Korean community here.”
The festival was made possible by the dedication of nearly 100 volunteers and the cooperation of numerous organizations and businesses, helping establish it as a shared celebration between the Korean and local communities. It was also highlighted by local TV station FOX4KC as a prominent community event, further cementing the KC Arirang Festival’s position as a key cultural event in Kansas City. Many attendees expressed high satisfaction with the festival and a strong interest in returning next year.
We extend our gratitude to all the volunteers and supporting organizations who helped make this festival a success. We look forward to seeing the KC Arirang Festival grow as a premier cultural event in Kansas City.