While most express concerns about a plant-based diet, a vegan diet which excludes
animal products such as meat and fish, it is more flexible than conventional expectations. Lately, the trend of flexitarianism, the combination of flexibility and vegetarianism, is on the rise amongst those interested in veganism. Flexitarian or semi-vegetarian tends to avoid animal products, but with some exceptions. Anyone can be flexitarian for several reasons: being healthy, saving innocent creatures, and decelerating global warming. However, the initial phase towards being healthier requires constant exposure to a vegan diet and interest in this particular diet. We have the most appropriate fall festival: Vegan Festival Korea, which will enable omnivores to have future-oriented or unconventional perspectives by allowing them to experience this new diet trend.
Pon World Vegan day on November 1st, the 7th Vegan Festival Korea was held between November 2nd and 3rd of 2019. Beyond just eating vegetables or starchy foods, the variegated booths in the festival attracted many participants with various products. Its participants did experience atypical foods and animal-free cosmetic products, clothes, and commodities and learned from experts. Its attraction ranged from food to cosmetics. Out of a dated diet, plant-based Western, Asian main dishes (e.g., lasagna, steak, Kimbap) and desserts (e.g., pie, brownie, pound cake) were served to everyone. What’s more, the cruelty-free Korean vegan fashion brand Vegan Tiger and vegan leather were introduced. Interestingly, excluding animals on their dishes, cosmetics, clothes, and commodities was not their sole purpose. By incorporating Zero Waste, they were also focusing on the environment. The prominent journalist, Sooyoun Song says, “Despite their inconvenience, they devoted themselves to tiny things. We did not take action for their health or beliefs. Small behaviours were focused on others” (Song).
All things considered, it is time to move one step forward for all creatures on Earth. Approximately 20 percent of South Koreans tend to avoid animal products (flexitarian) rather than going strictly vegan, as stated by the Korean Vegetarian Union (Korean Vegetarian Union). To encourage this trend, we should raise awareness of the desirability of the flexitarian diet for the betterment of our health, animals, and environment.
By: Soohyun Nam