The World Day for Cultural Diversity, observed every year on May 21, is an international commemorative day established by the UN General Assembly to promote the importance of mutual respect and understanding between cultures. Following UNESCO’s ‘Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity’ in 2001, it was officially proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2002.
UNESCO, which designated the World Day for Cultural Diversity, continues to carry out a variety of activities to protect cultural diversity, taking ‘promoting the rich diversity of cultures’ and ‘the free flow of words and images’ as its core values. The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001 and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted in 2005 are regarded as representative international norms that recognize the cultural diversity of each nation as the common heritage of humanity and acknowledge the right to diverse cultural expressions. In today’s world, where cultural exchange is more active than ever due to globalization and the spread of digital media, what significance does the World Day for Cultural Diversity hold?
The Growing Importance of Cultural Diversity in Our Society
The cultures of various countries are closely connected to our daily lives. It is natural to hear foreign languages spoken on the streets, and on social media, we easily find people sharing and enjoying culture across languages. The number of foreign residents in South Korea has steadily increased, now reaching approximately 2.6 million, accounting for about 5% of the total population. Roughly 5 out of every 100 people around us are foreign nationals. The number of international students has also surged from around 50,000 in 2013 to over 180,000 by 2023, rapidly transforming South Korean society into one that lives alongside people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Moreover, with the spread of social media and OTT platforms, it has also become natural to consume and exchange global content in real time — music, films, and dramas from all over the world.
[2026 Cultural Diversity Week Official Poster © Cultural Diversity Archive Official Website]
As intercultural exchange becomes more active, the importance of respecting cultural diversity in each country is also growing. South Korea joined the international community’s momentum by acceding to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2010. Subsequently, it enacted the ‘Act on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Diversity’ and designates the week beginning May 21 each year as Cultural Diversity Week, continuing various activities to spread the value of cultural diversity.
World Day for Cultural Diversity Events Taking Place Across the Country
In celebration of this year’s World Day for Cultural Diversity, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service selected regions including not only Seoul but also Jeonnam, Busan, Chungbuk, and Gyeonggi Ansan as ‘2026 Cultural Diversity Hub Cities.’ This initiative is being promoted to spread the value of cultural diversity within local communities by connecting regional cultural assets, citizens’ lives, and artistic activities.
[2026 Cultural Diversity Week Hub City Operating Foundation Logos © Korea Arts and Culture Education Service]
A variety of cultural diversity programs — including film festivals, exhibitions, performances, forums, and citizen-participatory projects — will be operated in each region. Cultural Diversity Week events are held around May 21, the World Day for Cultural Diversity, providing opportunities for citizens to experience local cultural assets and diverse cultural values firsthand. Detailed information about related events and programs can be found on the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service website and the Cultural Diversity official Instagram channel.
[<Cultural Diversity Curation Exhibition> Director Lee Ok-seob Poster © Cultural Diversity Week Official Instagram]
The value of cultural diversity does not merely reside within grand discourses, but connects to daily life through our interest and participation in understanding and respecting each other’s cultures. In celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity, how about experiencing culture firsthand through film screenings, exhibitions, and citizen participation programs held across the country, and lending an ear to the stories of different cultures? We hope this Cultural Diversity Week will become a venue for culture where people go beyond enjoying culture only on digital platforms and come together to enjoy culture as one.
by Editor N