By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee | On October 5 and 6, in the frame of the Program “Seoul Outdoor Library” from the Seoul Metropolitan Library; the Embassy of Peru in Korea organized the “Peru Day”, event in which a pavilion was presented. For the occasion, the Embassy programed some activities such as painting bulls and altarpieces, reading Peruvian books in Spanish and Korean, and experiencing traditional costumes. Likewise, a storytelling activity was carried out, in which children and adults enjoyed the story created for the story “Migrants” by the renowned author Issa Watanabe as well as th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From September 27th to October 6th Peru participated as a guest country in the Andong International Mask Festival. In that occasion, Peru had a booth where 11 Peruvian masks were displayed as well as photos of the Great Inca Trail, typical costumes and Pucará bulls. All these items transported the visitors to the heart of Peru, immersing them in our festivals, customs, dances and traditions. The Mayor of Andong, Kichang Kwon, the CEO of the Korea Foundation for Culture and Ethics, Dongwon Lee, City Councilors and Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi, the Ambassador of P
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Hyeonmudo is one of East Asia's animals of the four cardinal directions, and is a traditional painting mainly found in China and Korea. It symbolizes the north, and is believed to be the deity that rules the northern pavilion of the five divisions of the heavens. The figure is usually depicted in the form of a turtle and a snake, facing each other and intertwined. This symbolic combination signifies vitality and protection. The figure is composed of two main elements. First, the turtle is a symbol of longevity and immortality, and is believed to be the link betwe
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Korean traditional paintings, known as folk paintings, are gaining attention in the global art market as a new genre called “K-folk paintings” with a modern twist. Combining traditional paintings with lacquer, a unique Korean craft technique, K-Folk Painting is a work of art that harmoniously fuses traditional Korean art with modern aesthetics and is recognized worldwide for its uniqueness. Damwha Lee Jon-young, the artist at the forefront of this pioneering endeavor, is developing a new technique that utilizes lacquer to create a contemporary interpretation of t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The K-pop group TRENDZ successfully concluded their first solo concert in Türkiye, further proving their global popularity. The concert was co-hosted by Eventi Venti and Korever Company. On October 6, at the JJ Arena Watergarden in Istanbul, the "TRENDZ 1st Türkiye Concert" featured the group's hit songs as well as new tracks, receiving an enthusiastic response from local fans. The concert showcased TRENDZ's wide musical range and strong stage presence, from their 2021 debut song "TNT (Truth & Trust)" to their latest release "GLOW." The group impressed the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2024, a festival that brings together traditional and modern Thai culture, was held on October 5 and 6 at Cheonggyecheon Square in Seoul. Organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, the festival showcased a variety of Thai culture, including Thai food, T-POP performances, Muay Thai, and more, giving Seoulites and tourists a chance to experience the charm of Thailand up close. The festival ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and until 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, with various programs that allowed visitors to experience both Thai tradition and innova
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic and BANDITRAZOS gallery are delighted to announce the exhibition “Stillness and Change: Korea, 2021-2024”, presenting 46 signed, single-copy fine-art photographs reproduced in large format, taken in Korea by a Dominican photographer who happens to be the Dominican Ambassador. All photographs will be for sale and the profits will fund the extraordinary activities organized by the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS), for children who cannot be with their parents living in Korean welfare centers. Dr. Younghoo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Oman Embassy in the Republic of Korea hosted in its building in central Seoul, ceremony for the publication of the prestigious book “Oman: An Extended History of Friendship and Cooperation with Korea” by “Dr. Lee Hee Soo” on Sept. 24. The book launch ceremony has been sponsored by H.E Kim Chang Mo, Secretary-General of Korea Arab Society and attended by H.E Chung Kwang-yong, Deputy Director General for African & Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, MOFA, and many other stakeholders; academicians, publishers, local media, the book translating team; Dr. Kim Jae-hee
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Jujak-do is a symbolic painting that is considered one of the four immortal birds that guard the south in East Asian cultures, including ancient China and Korea. Jujak is depicted in the form of a red bird, reminiscent of a red phoenix, peacock, or phoenix, and is usually depicted as a male-female pair. The painting is not just a beautiful representation of a bird, but also symbolizes the order of the universe and carries a deeper meaning that is linked to the principles of nature. Symbols and roles Jujak symbolizes fire in the Five Elements of Principles, an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The vibrant culture and rich traditions of Thailand are set to come alive at the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2024: T-Pop Story, taking place on October 5th and 6th at the Cheonggye Plaza in the heart of Seoul. This special event will commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Thailand, celebrating the strong friendship and cultural ties between the two nations. Hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2024: T-Pop Story will offer a unique opportunity for visitors
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee “Baeksubaekbokdo百壽百福圖” is a traditional Korean folk painting that wishes for longevity and good fortune. Baeksubaekbokdo means “a hundred years of life,” which implies a wish for longevity. In addition, 'Baekbok百福' means a hundred kinds of 'blessings' and expresses the wish for various blessings in life. In this sense, Baeksubaekbokdo has a strong symbolic meaning as a wish for health and happiness. Composition and symbolism The Baeksubaekbokdo is mainly composed of various symbols and elements that symbolize longevity and good fortune. Some of the most common sy
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 6th International Diplomatic and Cultural PR Ambassadors Hanbok Festival will be held on October 15 at 5:30 p.m. The International Diplomatic and Cultural PR Ambassadors Hanbok Festival, a representative solo fashion show of “Hanbok Good Day”, is an extension of the “International Diplomatic and Cultural PR Ambassadors Selection Contest”, which was successfully held in April 2022, 2023, 2024, starting with the “Hanbok Good Day Fashion Show with Ambassadors” held twice in 2021. “The October 2024 event, in particular, is designed to impress the audience with
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Culinary diplomacy is my tool as food plays a significant role in connecting people. I tried to introduce Africa's rich traditions and diversity through food,” said the spouse of the Tanzanian Ambassador to Korea and author of the book "A Taste of East Africa: Uncovering Culture Through Cuisine.” In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal, Chaba Rhuwanya Mavura said, “I think this cookbook has been published at the right time when the Korea-Africa Summit was held in June, which was the very first summit of its kind between our nations, it is quite clear
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo To commemorate the successive Peruvian and Korean Presidencies of APEC 2024 -2025, the Diplomatic Journal co-hosted a cultural exchange exhibition with the Embassy of Peru in Seoul from Sept. 4-10 at the Maru Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul. The Korea-Peru cultural exchange exhibition featured 30 beautiful and amazing and 35 K-folk paintings by Korean Minwha artists. The Amazon is known as one of the world's most important biodiversity treasures, water reservoirs, and sources of natural resources. Delivering welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the exhib
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by President & CEO Martin Henkelmann, held “Guide Walkers” joint CSR event on August 31, 2024, at Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea. Over 450 participants from KGCCI and its member companies and partners served as guide walkers for individuals with visual impairments at the 10th Harmony Marathon with Visually Impaired, organized by Seoul Disabled Sports Association. Launched last year in celebration of the 140th anniversary of Korean-German diplomatic relations, the “KGCCI Joint CSR Guide Walkers” ini