Seoul Lights Up for the Holiday Season - Korea.net

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GLOBAL KOREA Korean Culture Introduced to South America Traditional musician Ahn Sook-sun Pianist Kim Sun-wook AKorean Music and Film Festival, held in Sao Paulo on Nov. 11, ended with a positive response from audiences. Sponsored by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOIS), the event was attended by 350 guests including Brazilian government officials, diplomats and Korean expatriates living there. Renowned traditional musician Ahn Sook-sun performed “Shimcheong-ga,” one of the most well-known Korean pansori songs, which was also designated as part of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage category. Amid the cheers of the audience, she also sang the song “Arirang.” Pianist Kim Sun-wook, who is currently working in London, played Schumann’s Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31. The audience applauded the 20-year-old piano prodigy for his brilliant performances. During the event, Korean traditional food was also provided for participants to experience Korean culinary culture. Several cultural events were held to introduce Korean culture to South American countries to commemorate the 16th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which took place in Lima, Peru, in November, with the participation of President Lee Myung-bak. Before the Lima event, some Korean films screened on Oct. 30 and 31 and performances by the National Theater were presented on Nov. 3, both in Santiago, Chile. “Chile, Brazil and Peru have a 50-year history of diplomatic relations with Korea,” said Chung In-kyu, an official at KOIS. “These cultural events were prepared to reaffirm the friendship with those three South American countries before the APEC summit.” On Nov. 7 and 8, Korean films were also shown to Peruvians at the Korean Cultural Center. ■ ‘These cultural events were prepared to reaffirm the friendship with those three South American countries before the APEC summit.’ 18 KOREA DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBER 2008 KOREA 19
GLOBAL KOREA Yonhap Ramsar Changwon 2008 Jogaedongneup in Odaesan, Gangwon-do, a newly designated Ramsar wetland Officials of the Ramsar Convention including Environment Minister Lee Maan-ee (second from right) and Anaga Tiega, secretary general of the Ramsar Convention (middle) celebrate at the closing ceremony in Changwon Ramsar 2008 Adopts ‘Changwon Declaration’ on Humanity and Nature BY PARK MIN-YOUNG STAFF WRITER The 10th meeting of the contracting parties of the Ramsar Convention — an international gathering to protect wetlands — closed amid cheers on Nov. 4. A total of 2,288 government and NGO officials from 140 countries attended the meeting at Changwon Exhibition Convention Center. The participants said the meeting was about 10 years ahead of its time, with its thorough preparation and stable management. The meeting was an eco-friendly one, befitting its goal. A total of 2,500 people, including both participants and citizens, chipped in for the carbon offset funds. Personal stainless steel cups instead of paper ones were used. Also, USB flash drives took the place of paper. Of the 33 draft resolutions discussed during the session, 32 were adopted. The one regarding a change in the frequency of meetings was rejected. The “Changwon Declaration,” which was led by the Korean government, was adopted. It envisions a way of harmonizing humanity and nature by highlighting positive actions under the themes of water, climate change, people’s livelihood and health, land use and biodiversity. “The declaration is different from the other issues discussed during the session, as it offers practical measures to assure it will have an impact,” a Korean delegate said. A joint resolution by South Korea and Japan on the preservation of rice paddies, titled “Enhancing biodiversity in rice paddies as wetland systems,” was also adopted. The goal is to promote proper water management of rice paddies to ensure conservation of biodiversity and sustainable food production. The meeting was an opportunity for citizens to take another look at the wetlands. More than 20,000 people participated in the various events held at the convention center. The high interest led to the revitalization of wetland tours. More than 135.000 people visited Upo wetland and the Junam reservoir during the meeting period. “The meeting elevated Korea’s status as an environmentally advanced country,” said Kim Tae-ho, governor of Gyeongsangnam-do. “We need to keep the interest up in order to preserve wetlands in the future.” The next Ramsar Convention is to be held in Romania in 2012. ■ Yonhap Books containing artwork by 4,400 students depicting the nature and culture of the 158 Ramsar member countries (top), volunteers wave hands on the closing day 20 KOREA DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBER 2008 KOREA 21
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Page 5 and 6: COVER The Experience of Foreign Stu
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Page 9: DIPLOMACY Yonhap “Sets of bilater
Page 13 and 14: GLOBAL KOREA World Ocean Forum 2008
Page 15 and 16: CULTURE Emography on a closet Calli
Page 17 and 18: CULTURE Royal Protocols of the Jose
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Page 21 and 22: PEOPLE Moon Young Doo Credia Japane
Page 23 and 24: ART A scene from “A Ballerina Who
Page 25 and 26: TRAVEL Inje Ice Fish Festival Night
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Seoul Lights Up for the Holiday Season - Korea.net

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