Korean Ambassador Kim Yong-hyon with Gugak and Arirang performers at the Korean Culture Week closing concert. Photo courtesy of the Korean embassy in Cairo.
At the closing concert of Korea Culture Week, the Korean ambassador disclosed that the embassy plans to organize a series of events next year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Egypt and Korea.
On 28 September, the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) held the 2024 Korean Culture Week 'K-Sound' closing concert at the Cairo Opera House’s small theatre.
With this concert, the curtain falls on Korean Culture Week, organized by the KCC in collaboration with Cairo Opera House from 22 to 28 September to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its establishment.
Combining the sounds of traditional Korean instruments, an Egyptian amateur group played some musical pieces they learned at the Gugak Academy, accompanied by Korean trainer and member of the Korean National Gugak Centre’s Folk Music Group, Park Jae-Hyeong.
In Korean, "Gugak" refers to traditional music passed down through generations for thousands of years. Forty Egyptian young people participated in the Gugak Academy organized by the KCC and the Academy of Arts from 15 to 26 September.
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The concert concluded with a performance of "Arirang" by Eom Ye-jin and Noh Yoon-ji, who coached the "Arirang" workshop held at the KCC from 23 to 26 September.
Arirang, a popular song that all Koreans know, was designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2012. The song, which invokes love, sorrow, and hope, is estimated to be over 600 years old. It has over 60 versions in Korea.
Arirang performers at the Cairo Opera House's small theatre. Photo courtesy of the Korean embassy in Cairo.
Attending the closing ceremony, the Korean Ambassador to Egypt Kim Yong-Hyon emphasized in his speech that South Korea is keen on strengthening and deepening ties with Egypt. He stressed the important role of public diplomacy in exploring new horizons for cooperation and pushing forward ties between the two countries.
Yong-Hyon noted that the past three decades have seen the ties between Egypt and Korea develop into a comprehensive strategic partnership that constitutes an example for bilateral relations worldwide.
The Korean ambassador also seized the opportunity and invited the amateur Egyptian students in the Gugak Academy who performed in the concert to attend the celebration of the National Day and the Armed Forces Day of Korea at his residence in Maadi on 2 October.
For his part, Oh Sung-ho, Director of the KCC, stressed that the centre will continue to enhance understanding and cultural exchange between the two countries, hoping that next year will witness more cooperation at all levels.
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