Assembly Member Ron Kim (D-40) hosted a Korean cultural event at a local junior high school in Flushing on Thursday, Nov 7, to celebrate Kimchi Day.
Kim and school officials led “Kimchi Day at JHS 189: A Cultural Event for Public School Students” to commemorate the passage of a recently enacted New York State Assembly Resolution, which recognized Nov 22 as Kimchi Day in the state of New York. The event featured a lecture and live kimchi-making demonstration by a renowned kimchi chef. It was sponsored by The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation with support from the Korean Cuisine Globalization Committee.
Kim and the JHS 189 students were joined by their principal, Dr. Brian Bradly, and District 25 Superintendent, Dr. Michael Danton. Attendees learned about the history, health benefits, and unique properties of kimchi as a cultural dish in the Korean community, with the goal of increasing awareness of other communities’ traditional foods and cultures.
Kimchi Day celebrated on Nov. 22, honors the cultural and health benefits of kimchi, a staple Korean dish made from fermented vegetables and spices. Originally established in South Korea, Kimchi Day is now recognized in New York, promoting appreciation of Korean culture and cuisine.
Kim said that the recognition of Kimchi Day is important for the Korean American community and Korean culture. Kim added that in reflecting on his own experiences in public school, he never imagined that students would learn about and experience the process of making kimchi. “Today’s cultural appreciation event has provided public school students a unique chance to learn about one of the cornerstones of Korean cuisine. This event would not have been possible without the support and sponsorship of the JHS189, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, and the Korean Cuisine Globalization Committee,” Kim said in a statement.
Bradley added that Thursday’s event brought happiness to students and provided a platform to learn about and appreciate different cultures. “I believe that this Kimchi Day event is a meaningful time for us to learn about Korean culture and, more importantly, something that brings us together,” he said in a statement. Danton echoed Bradley’s views, adding that the event is a “ wonderful opportunity for us to discover and learn about cultures that may be new to us. I hope that events like this continue, not only here but also in other public schools in our area, providing more opportunities for cultural exchange and appreciation.”
