New Malden in south west London has marked International Kimchi Day with a series of local community events.
22 November was designated as national Kimchi Day in South Korea in 2020, and Kingston – home to a thriving Korean community – was proud to mark the first official Kimchi Day in Europe.
The New Malden Residents Association, adopters of the station, were thrilled to collaborate with other community organisations and local councillors to deliver a series of events commemorating the special day.
Kimchi was created to preserve vegetables for the harsh Korean winter, through a process of salting cabbage or radish, then blending and fermenting it with spices and sometimes seafood. It is an essential element of most Korean meals and family recipes are handed down the generations. Kimjang is the act of making and sharing kimchi in the late autumn and is listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
New Malden Residents Association supported a range of activities throughout November to mark Kimchi Day and the Kimjang festival, such as kimchi making demonstrations, traditional games, film screenings and a display of traditional clothing (hanbok).
A particular highlight, thanks to South Western Railway, was the temporary naming of New Malden station in Hangul (Korean), to complement its English name.
Liz Meerabeau, chair of the New Malden Residents Association, said: “We met with South Western Railway personnel to discuss station improvements and were delighted with the idea to create a temporary station sign, to complement our other Kimchi Day activities.”
In his speech of thanks, local councillor Robert Kim said: “South Western Railway and everyone involved in this gesture have given us a gift far greater than a sign. Thank you for honouring not just Korean culture, but the universal human story – the story of belonging.”
Learn more about South Western Railway’s work in the community here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the New Malden Residents Association via their website.
