The 2026 Korean Cultural Festival in Lilongwe demonstrated how culture can act as a unifying factor between countries. The event brought together Malawians, Koreans and people from different communities resident in Malawi.
Organised by the Korean community in Malawi, the festival has become a platform for cultural exchange, friendship and diplomacy between Malawi and Korea.
It featured various activities aimed at giving Malawians a taste of Korean culture through food, music, dance and traditional displays.
Speaking during the festival, Korean Ambassador Park Jae-Kyung said despite the long distance between the two countries, Malawi and Korea share many common values.
“In many ways, Malawi reminds me of my country. Although Malawi and Korea are more than 10 000 miles apart, we share many values such as respect for elders, strong family ties and care for children,” he said.
Park said the festival was not only about introducing Korean culture, but also creating closer relationships between people through shared experiences.
“Today’s festival is not just about introducing Korean culture; it is about bringing our people together through food, music and dance. I hope you feel the warm friendship of the Korean people,” he said.
Minister of Natural Resources and Culture Patricia Wiskes said cultural exchanges play an important role in strengthening relations between people and nations.
She described culture as an important part of a country’s identity and a powerful tool for building international connections.
“Culture is the heartbeat of every nation. It defines who we are and how we relate with others. Cultural diplomacy remains one of the strongest ways of building bridges between nations,” Wiskes said.
The minister said events such as the Korean Cultural Festival help people discover similarities despite differences in language and traditions.
“Through music, dance, film and art we realise that although we come from different backgrounds, we share common values,” she said.
She added that cultural festivals support the implementation of Malawi Vision 2063 by promoting cultural growth, tourism, youth empowerment and international cooperation.
