Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem held a meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Egypt Hong Jin-Wook on 6 December where they discussed means of enhancing cultural and artistic cooperation. while celebrating the 25th anniversary of establishing mutual ties between the two countries.

Abdel-Dayem hailed the level of cooperation between both nations, stressing the continuity of broadcasting Egyptian and South Korean activities virtually during COVID-19 confinement. She also asserted the role of soft power in deepening relationships between nations worldwide.

Jin-Wook expressed that the greatness of the Egyptian civilisation comes from its diversity and its influence on other civilisations, indicating that he is following up on the different artistic activities ongoing in Egypt in light of the strict precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Moreover, he praised the cultural revival achieved recently in Egypt. He also expressed his happiness for the rising number of followers of Korean dramas, and the surge of fans of K-pop in Egypt.

Jin-Wook wished to co-produce Egyptian and Korean projects in music and cinema, with both sides agreeing to resume implementing some cultural projects after the end of coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to this meeting, Abdel-Dayem also met with the newly named Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Cairo Toral Anaroghli to discuss joint cooperation in various artistic and cultural fields.

Abdel-Dayem emphasised the strength and depth of the relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt, pointing to the distinguished creative movement in Azerbaijan and stressing on the emotional and cultural rapprochement between the two friendly nations.

She also explained the importance of intensifying cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries during the coming period by implementing a number of innovative cultural  projects depending on modern technological platforms to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anaroghli praised the flourishing cultural and artistic movement happening in Egypt and the achievements implemented in various intellectual and creative fields, stressing that these achievements are the result of the ministry's insistence on delivering a message of enlightenment while applying the precautionary measures against COVID-19.

The Azerbaijani ambassador expressed his desire to establish reciprocal activities to reflect the various colours of arts and culture in Egyptian and Azerbaijani societies, in addition to carrying out some electronic activities to reinforce the civilisational dialogue of cultures.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed on organising a number of cultural activities, including holding joint exhibitions of visual art that display the works of contemporary Egyptian and Azerbaijani artists to be hosted by Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh in December 2020.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Toral Anaroghli with Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem. Photo credit of Culture Minister Media office.