Korea Live: Feel the rhythm of Korea, the hybrid Korean Culture Week, kicked off Friday at the National Museum of the Egyptian Civilization.
The festival is organized by the Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo (KCC) and features a variety of Korean music and culture and arts activities that will continue until September 14.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, Kim Yong-Hyun, Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, and representatives of official bodies.
The opening ceremony featured a performance by Folk Troupe, that traveled from Korea to Egypt.
Kim Yong-Hyun welcomed the attendees to the ceremony and thanked them for joining them in celebrating and sharing enjoyment of Korean culture
He expressed his pleasure and honor to have this year’s Korea Culture Week in “The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization” and described the landmark as a "very iconic place that showcases Egypt's splendid history, and rich culture spanning from ancient to modern times."
Kim Yong-Hyun also expressed his extreme gratitude to Ghoneim for his invaluable support for the event and extended his gratitude to the Korean Cultural Centre, its Director Oh Sungho, and his staff for their tireless efforts to prepare the event.
"Since my arrival in Cairo, about 3 months ago, I am having a very good time, meeting people, Egyptian and expats. I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself learning about this captivating country with long history and rich culture. Taking this opportunity, I’d like to express my deep gratitude for their warm welcome and friendship. I am also deeply moved by their love for Korean culture and Korean’s innovative creativity,".
He added that Egypt and Korea enjoy excellent bilateral relations, very friendly and growing people-to-people ties, both cultural and economic, noting the two nations have been geographically far separated, making it challenging for the people to interact and foster familiarity.
Kim Yong-Hyun pointed out that this age witnesses how powerful culture is, in uniting individuals, transcending physical barriers and different environments.
"How amazing it is to see more and more Egyptians, young and old, enjoy K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Movie, K-Food, and so on and so forth. I learned that there are about 90 K-Wave Online Fan Clubs in Egypt. They have about 900,000 members," he noted.
"These fan clubs host their own K-POP, or K-Food events. They take various cultural initiatives actively,".
"Indeed, steadily increasing number of Egyptian students want to learn Korean language. The esteemed Ainshams University’s Korean Language Department, which was established in 2005, is very popular. KCC and Oh Sungho‘s language courses are always crowded,".
He added that more young Egyptians want to visit Korea, a country of BTS, Blackpink and so many K-Pop idol stars.
"This will be the only beginning. I am convinced that these interactions between our two peoples will contribute tremendously to promoting friendship and cooperation through enhanced mutual understanding," Kim Yong-Hyun noted.
"I see many young Egyptians are here with us tonight. I thank you for your interest and support for Korean culture,".
He noted that the Korean government is very keen in promoting the public diplomacy, which cultivate strong relationships with people around the world through culture, art, sports, and many more.
"My Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo are more than ever committed to furthering cultural exchanges. We would like to foster mutual understanding and build bridges by introducing not only Korean culture to the Egyptian people but also the rich culture and lives of Egyptians to Korea,".
"It should be two way streets. Not one way. And in this important journey of ours, I would sincerely like to count on your interest and support," he concluded.
On his part, Ghoneim hailed the relations between the two countries and noted the occasion that allowed them to explore the vibrant cultural ties.
"Today, we come together with immense pleasure to celebrate Korean Cultural Week, an occasion that allows us to explore the vibrant cultural ties between South Korea and Egypt," he said.
"Despite the geographical distance that separates our two nations, these relations have successfully bridged the gap, drawing us closer through our shared commitment to nurturing creativity, cultural enrichment, and the dynamic exchange of ideas and traditions,"
He added that both the Egyptian and Korean cultures take immense pride in their rich histories, encompassing language, literature, music, dance, and festivals, and noted both nations indulge in a plethora of festivities year-round, from the colorful celebrations of Eid in Egypt to the vibrant Chuseok and Lunar New Year festivals in Korea.
"These events serve as powerful means of uniting communities, fostering a sense of togetherness, and honoring our cultural identities," he pointed out.
"The realm of arts and creativity holds a special place in both societies, with each culture boasting unique forms of artistic expression, from Egyptian calligraphy to Korean traditional painting. While in music, both Korean and Egyptian music have regional variations in their musical traditions. Korea's regional music styles, such as Jeongak (court music) and Minyo (folk songs), have unique characteristics, as do the various regional styles of Egyptian music, including Upper Egyptian folk music and Cairo-based classical music,".
Ghoneim added, "Our mutual reverence for cultural traditions, monuments, and artifacts serves as a testament to the enduring strength of human connection and the boundless possibilities that artistic exchange can offer,".
"While Egypt and Korea exhibit differences in various aspects, the undeniable cultural similarities remind us of universal values and shared human experiences that bind us together. Therefore, we extend a heartfelt invitation to join us for a week-long celebration at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization as we embrace the rich tapestry of these two remarkable cultures,".
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