NAKASEC affiliates and their cultural troupes held its annual Jishin Balpgi (“Stepping on the Spirit of the Earth”) Lunar New Year street festival in Korean American communities across the nation.The Jishin Balpgi festival brings renewed hope and a sense of community to Korean Americans living abroad.Moreover, it is a way to share cultural traditions with other ethnic communities that make up this multi-cultural society.
New York
YKASEC & BINARI-Korean American Cultural Troupe visited Koreatowns in Flushing and Manhattan to ring in the New Year.Joining with college and other community-based poongmul troupes, over $2,000 was raised and contributed to YKASEC’s student legalization campaign.
Chicago
Despite the frigid weather, KRCC & Il Kwa Nori held their Chicago Jishin Balpgi festival in high spirits.With visits to over 30 Korean small businesses in the Chicago area, community members celebrated the New Year with dances, songs, and chants.$2,290 was collected and donated to KRCC’s 2004 Voter Education Campaign.
Los Angeles
KRC & HanNuRi – Korean American Cultural Troupe held its Los Angeles Jishin Balpgi festival in the heart of Koreatown.Partnering with college-based poongmul troupes, small business owners and workers were greeted with warmth and hearty scoops of luck.Money collected from the festival was donated to the Columba House where volunteers are treating Alzheimer’s patients.
Philadelphia
A close friend of NAKASEC, KACC and SoriMori held their Philadelphia Jishin Balpgi festival in style.Visiting Korean American businesses in the area, this vibrant cultural troupe brings new meaning to ringing in the New Year.Donations collected from their festival will be contributed to a community issue of importance.
