Madrid hosted a cultural exchange with South Korea during Eid-al-Adha, as K-Week ran from July 8 to 14. The aim was to showcase South Korean culture, gastronomy, and traditions to locals and visitors, highlighting the country’s traditions, values, and sophistication at the Palacio de Neptuno in the heart of Madrid. The Republic of Korea used the festival as a bridge for cultural exchange and closer ties between the two nations.
K-Week, backed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aimed to shorten the distance between Korea and Spain. It presented a Madrid-centered program with a variety of interactive experiences, creative workshops, and events before and after the main weekend sessions at the venue.
The Korea Tourism Organization designed the primary activities for K-Week, scheduled for July 8 and 9 at the Palacio de Neptuno. The venue spans 2,074 square meters and accommodates up to 600 attendees. Admission is free, and portions of the festival will be streamed on Twitch to reach audiences who cannot attend in person, allowing viewers to enjoy the art exhibitions and workshops remotely.
Korean culture is recognized worldwide for its depth and continuity, blending centuries of heritage with modern trends in music, cinema, and cuisine. The festival embraces elements commonly associated with Korea such as K-Food, K-Drama, K-Beauty, and K-Pop, weaving together this vast cultural landscape. The following activities were featured:
Taekwondo demonstrations would be presented in morning and afternoon sessions, offering a glimpse into Korea’s martial arts traditions.
One of the festival’s standout experiences was a continuous music show with a daily pass, inviting attendees to explore Korean popular music in an approachable way.
A highlight involved an interactive game projected on a giant screen inside the venue, inviting active participation from visitors.
During K-Week, group choreographies of K-Pop dancers would be showcased, with two daily performances to help attendees discover this dance style that has captivated young people worldwide and earned international acclaim.
- Korea Photography Exhibition
A visual exhibit offered visitors a clearer understanding of South Korea’s landscapes, monuments, and cities.
- Korean calligraphy creative workshop
Workshops during the festival taught the Korean alphabet, with participants’ names presented in this commemorative script.
South Korea’s renowned skincare traditions were highlighted with a morning and afternoon beauty zone featuring Korean products and skincare and makeup workshops led by KOSSmetics.
- Hanbok, traditional Korean costume
The Hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire, was displayed and visitors could try it on for photographs at the event.
- Korean traditional board games
Workshops introduced attendees to ancestral games such as Yutnori, Dalgona, and Ttakji Chigi.
Knotting, a delicate craft with historical roots, was presented in a hands-on workshop exploring this art made with special threads.
- Korean dessert tasting
Festival-goers sampled classic Korean confections to savor the country’s distinctive flavors.
- KISS FM Radio Station
A DJ affiliated with the Kiss FM network provided a lively soundtrack, blending various Korean music styles throughout the festival.
On event days, Neptune Palace hosted information booths where visitors could inquire about destinations and secure special travel packages from operators including Catai, Asian Destinations, and Pangea The Travel Store. The festival promoted Korea as a destination to explore.
- complementary activities
In the weeks leading up to the festival, travel agencies hosted a series of events, including a flagship Madrid venue focusing on Korean cuisine, an interview with photographer Angel Lf3pez SOTO specializing in Korea, and a presentation of Catai’s Korea trip with a tailored package for K-Week alongside Unknown Korea and other initiatives. Throughout the week, digital screens across Madrid publicly displayed festival information and event schedules.