Korea and Botswana Cultures Meet on One Stage: Special Cultural Exchange Event Lights Up Gaborone

Post Date25.08.2025
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The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) brought its Travelling Korea festival to Botswana for the first time on 22 August, turning the University of Botswana into a lively stage for cultural exchange between Korea and Botswana. The event drew an audience of more than a thousand, highlighting both the growing enthusiasm for Korean culture in Botswana and the warm spirit of collaboration between the two countries.

Visitors experienced a vibrant mix of performances and interactive activities from both sides. K-pop fans set the stage alight with energetic cover dances, while festival-goers explored Korean traditions through calligraphy workshops, crafts, hanbok (traditional Korean attire) experiences, and a special exhibition on Korean history and culture.

At the same time, Botswana’s rich culture took centre stage with a wide array of performances and displays. Audiences were captivated by dynamic traditional dances, stirring choral performances, and live music from student bands. Exhibitions and hands-on activities showcasing Botswana’s heritage added to the atmosphere, giving visitors the chance to enjoy two cultures in dialogue within a single event.

“This festival went beyond introducing Korean culture – it became a meaningful platform for Korea and Botswana to meet and celebrate each other’s traditions,” said Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre. “We are delighted by the enthusiastic response here in Gaborone, and we look forward to expanding these exchanges across the region.”

Travelling Korea is a mobile cultural programme designed to bring Korean culture to communities without easy access to the Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. Since its launch in South Africa, the initiative has visited Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, and expanded to Eswatini in 2024. The Gaborone edition marked the second stop outside South Africa, underscoring the programme’s role in fostering cultural connections across Southern Africa.

Building on the success in Botswana, the Korean Cultural Centre will continue the Travelling Korea series in major South African cities, broadening opportunities for audiences to experience and share in Korea’s diverse cultural offerings.