The Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) will launch its first cultural week this year to provide an opportunity for the Egyptian public to directly experience Korean culture. The cultural week is set to kick off on Sunday 22 May with an opening ceremony for a traditional Korean art gallery at the Adam Hanin Hall of Al-Hangar Cultural Centre at the Opera House, featuring a number of art pieces that reflect the richness and diversity of South Korean traditional arts. Ten Korean artists are expected to take part in the exhibition, and the event will include various art workshops. The artworks that will be on display will highlight the aesthetics of 'Minhwa' — a folk Korean art used to decorate traditional Korean house as well as celebrate birthdays and weddings. Furthermore, the exhibition will feature Hanji artworks, which are characterised by their bright colours and elegant designs. Known as a genuine component of traditional Korean culture, Hanji is handmade paper made from the bark of mulberry trees, and is characterised by flexibility, transparency, softness, and moisture resistance. Additionally, it will include Bojagi, which is a type of clothing garment that has been recognised as a modern art form. Exhibitiongoers of different age groups will also be able to experience wearing traditional Korean 'Hanbok' uniforms and taking memorial photographs inside the exhibition hall. Later on, on Tuesday 24 May, the annual K-POP World Festival will take place in the Opera House's Open-Air Theatre at 6pm. 14 troupes of youngsters will have the opportunity to showcase their passion for singing and dancing like famous K-POP stars. Winners will then be eligible to take part in the final round that will be held in Korea. Korean Culture Week will wrap up with a Korean musical concert by Ensemble SU on Monday, 30 May, at the Cairo Opera House's Small Hall. The Korean band will perform music that blends traditional Korean instruments with western instruments. Oh Sung-ho — Director of the KCC — expressed his happiness for organising the Korean Cultural Week after a long break due to the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the centre is exerting much effort to restore its full activities. He added that the activities of the cultural week aim to introduce Korean culture to Egypt and promote understanding and cultural exchange between the two countries.
