Two cultural festivals are set to bring some Latin American warmth to northeastern Seoul this weekend.

Seongbuk Global Village Center will be hosting a Latin American Festival, while the Brazilian Cultural Center will be holding a Brazil Day festival in nearby Hyehwa.

SGVC first held the festival in 2011, bringing a mix of martial arts, music and dance performances from countries including Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Chile and Brazil.

“The Latin American Festival will offer opportunities to Korean and foreign residents to experience Latin traditional food, music and specialties from South America, the other side of the Earth,” said a center representative.

“Visitor numbers have increased every year. People really know how to enjoy the festival,” she said.

This year’s event will include a limbo competition at 6:30 p.m., and drinking and dancing contests at 4:30 p.m.

The festival returns after a long break ― last year’s event was canceled out of respect for the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster and this year’s was postponed due to the MERS outbreak. But by chance this could create a synergy effect, as a Brazil Day festival will be held down the road on the same day.

The Brazilian Cultural Center’s Brazil Day event will be held for the third year running to celebrate Brazilian independence and culture.

This year’s event will be held in Marronnier Park in the Daehangno area, and feature a variety of cultural experiences and food, as well as performances including samba dancing and carnival music.

The Latin American Festival runs Saturday from 12-8 p.m., while the Brazil Day festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the same day.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)