President Park Geun-hye, currently on a state visit to Kazakhstan, attended a cultural exchange exhibition for ethnic Koreans at the Palace of Independence in Astana, the Kazakhstani capital, on June 19.

President Park attended the opening ceremony of an exhibition for modern ethnic Korean artists, titled “People.” She appreciated the artwork, which shows the joys and sorrows, hopes and energy for life of ethnic Korean Central Asians. The president also gave words of encouragement to the participating artists.

“The artwork on display conveys a message of hope and shows the will of Korean people who aim to open a new future with untiring vitality,” said the president.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 100 people, including Kazakhstani Minister of Culture Muhamediuly Arystanbek, Dariga Nazarbayeva, the vice-speaker of the Majilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakhstani parliament, and participating artists from Korea, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, including Kim Dong-yoo and Victor Moon.



This exhibition aims at boosting cultural exchanges between Korea and Kazakhstan. Artwork made by ethnic Koreans is on display at the exhibition. The works show the life and history, pain, patience and sacrifice, as well as their hope and vitality for the future, by portraying ethnic Korean people who live in Central Asia after being forced to move to the region, as well as in Korea.

The exhibition involves ethnic Korean artists from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, including Victor Moon, Nicolai Park, as well as Korean artists, including Kim Dong-yoo and Seo Se-Oak. The exhibition will be open until July 17 at the Palace of Independence in Astana and will then move on to Uzbekistan.

The exhibition was designed to allow people to sympathize with not only ethnic Koreans but also with Kazakhstani people who shared the pain of the Korean people, said Cheong Wa Dae. President Park’s presence at the exhibition reflects her interest in ethnic Koreans living in the region, the presidential office explained.

Meanwhile, prior to the exhibition, President Park visited the Astana Opera Theatre and Nazarbayev University. While there, she expressed her hope that both Korea and Kazakhstan could expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. She also attended another exhibition at the palace, “Art of Ancestors-Descendants Heritage,” which shows the traditional folk culture of Kazakhstan.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr