Celebrating Korea

By Maria Gregoriou

Starting on Monday, the Korean Embassy will be celebrating 20 years of diplomacy between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Cyprus with a series of events showcasing Korean culture and promoting the relations between the two countries.

The series of events, under the name Korean Week, will kick-off with an international academic seminar at the University of Nicosia at 10.30am. The seminar will cover political issues that are relevant both for Cyprus and Korea and will feature professor Kyu-Dok Hong from SookMyung Women’s University and former Deputy Minister for Defence Reform, professor Hyun In-taek from Korea University and Former Minister of Unification, Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Minister Plenipotentiary Head at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr Zenonas Tziarras, Analyst from the Diplomatic Academy of the University of Nicosia.

The topics to be discussed include the Korean Government’s Security Strategy for Responding to North Korean Provocations, the Korean Government’s Strategy for Human Right Conditions in North Korea and Restoration of Trust, and the Parallel Paths of Cyprus and Korea.

Korean Week then moves on to the Melina Merkouri Hall in Nicosia at 2pm when a photography exhibition dedicated to Korean war, nature, arts and culture will be opened. The photographs revolve around the concepts of modern architecture, physical landscape in four seasons, culture and traditions. The exhibition will remain open until 7pm on Monday and will also run on Tuesday.

Next up is a screening of two modern Korean films. After enjoying the photography exhibition, you can view the romantic film Architecture 101 on Monday. The film, directed and written by Lee Yong-joo, concentrates on first love while also bringing into the forefront the themes of time, memory, recollection and the volatility of life.

On Tuesday you can view the sports drama inspired by a true story Forever the Moment. The film follows the events leading up to the South Korean women’s handball team that won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Both films will be screened at the Melina Merkoui Hall at 7pm with English subtitles and entrance is free.

Korean Week
An event featuring an academic seminar, films and photography exhibition. May 25-26. University of Nicosia and Melina Merkouri Hall, Nicosia. Different times. Free. Tel: 22-665524

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