Uzbek Culture Week has started in South Korea. Dedicated to the further development of cooperation between the two countries, the event has been organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in South Korea jointly with Seoul National University Asia Center.
The opening ceremony of the Culture Week was attended by specialists of the science, education and culture spheres of the two countries, diplomatic corps representatives, art community members of Uzbekistan and South Korea, professors, teachers and students.
The director of Seoul National University Asia Center, Myung-koo Kang, and others emphasized that cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea was developing consistently in all areas, including in the sphere of culture. The state visit of the First President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to South Korea in May 2015 and the state visit of the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, to Uzbekistan in June 2014 helped to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation, including in culture.
The Uzbekistan-Korea Friendship Society has been operating since 1999. Artistes of the two countries regularly take part in various forums and festivals conducted in Uzbekistan and South Korea. In 2014, a Seoul Park opened its doors in Tashkent.
At South Korea’s Busan University of Foreign Studies and Daegu University of Foreign Studies, Uzbek language departments have been established. In Uzbekistan, the Korean language is taught at the Uzbek State University of World Languages, the Tashkent state institute of oriental studies and the Samarqand state institute of foreign languages. At Inha University in Tashkent, highly qualified specialists train in such modern areas as information technology and engineering. At a number of general education establishments in Uzbekistan, Korean language and culture centers have been opened. The Korean language is learnt at 13 higher educational establishments and 30 schools and lyceums in Uzbekistan.
In May this year, the construction of a Korean house of culture and art began in Tashkent. It is scheduled to be completed in 2017. This establishment will create favorable conditions for the keeping and propagation of Korean people’s rich culture and unique art as well as traditions and customs. Its work will serve to further strengthen the relations between the two countries in the cultural and humanitarian spheres and ties of friendship between the two nations.
It was noted at the opening of the Culture Week that the large-scale cultural and humanitarian ties of the two countries and peoples pointed to future prospects for Uzbek-South Korean cooperation.
A concert by Uzbek and Korean performers took place.
As part of the event, a photo exhibition on the history and culture of Uzbekistan and an exhibition of Uzbek national craftsmanship opened at Seoul National University. Great pictures of historical monuments show world civilization’s important stages of development over centuries.
Uzbekistan’s film festival is held as part of the cultural forum. During the festival, an Ayub Shahobiddinov film titled “Parizod” and a Rashid Malikov film entitled “Uncle” are being screened. During the event, Uzbek orientalists are scheduled to deliver lectures at Seoul National University.
The Uzbek and Korean peoples have similar cultures and mentalities. They have such qualities as diligence, kindness and mercy, which are the basis of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Cultural and humanitarian ties play an important role in the further strengthening of the relations between the countries. Cooperation in science, education, art, sports and tourism continues to thrive.
