KSI Dubai conducted a kimbap-making experience for Iftar during Ramadan

> A kimbap-making experience for Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan

> Engaging local attendees and students of the KSI Dubai in Korean culture through quizzes about kimbap

On March 23, the KSI Dubai conducted a kimbap-making experience as part of the Korean cultural activities during Iftar in Ramadan. The event took place at the Dream Center in Al Barsha, Dubai, and was targeted not only at students of the King Sejong Institute but also at locals in Dubai interested in the Korean language and culture.

Ramadan is a major religious observance in Dubai and other Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, similar to Korea’s Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Ramadan lasts about a month, during which fasting is observed during daylight hours and is broken after sunset. Families and friends gather for dinner, and the first meal eaten after fasting is called Iftar, which is a significant occasion in Islamic culture for sharing and giving.

KSI Dubai promoted the event through Instagram and gathered participants via pre-registration. About 20 King Sejong Institute students and locals attended, learning about Korean culture and food through fun quizzes.

After watching a demonstration by the instructor, attendees returned to their tables to choose ingredients that suited their tastes and made kimbap together, sharing stories and tasting each other’s creations. The KSI students Wooju jumma and Hamda mentioned, “It was a fun experience to make and eat kimbap, which we had only seen in Korean dramas and movies.” Most attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and looked forward to the next Korean cultural event organized by the KSI Dubai.

Thus, the KSI Dubai continues to work hard to promote Korean culture in Dubai, serving as a center in the Middle East. The Institute plans to conduct Korean language classes during the weekdays and to organize Korean cultural events monthly to further promote Korean language and culture in the region.

Article by Lee Hyeon-sook, dispatched instructor at the KSI Dubai