To mark the Year of Cultural Exchanges 2024–2025 between Korea and Canada, the art exhibition "Beyond" is held in April at Dignam Gallery in Toronto. (Korean Consulate General in Toronto)

By Park Hye Ri
 

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 26 said it officially launched the Year of Cultural Exchanges 2024–2025 with Canada in the latter's capital.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon on June 25 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on expanding bilateral cultural exchange with Minister of Canadian Cultural Heritage Pascale St-Onge at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. They also congratulated the launch of the commemorative year.

The MOU covers the expansion of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors including culture and arts, cultural heritage, creative industries and sports to successfully promote the event.

After the agreement's signing, the opening ceremony and its concert "Connection" were held at the same venue.

The ceremony was attended by both ministers and Rep. Greg Fergus, speaker of Canada's House of Commons.

About 2,000 people watched the concert featuring National Orchestra of Korea, pansori (solo lyrical opera) singer Jang Seo-yoon, violinist Timothy Choi, runner-up at the 2019 Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium, and Canadian soprano Carole-Anne Roussel.

Starting with the concert, the two countries will host a range of programs such as an animation film festival and joint creation and production of music (September-October), support for youth musicians who advance abroad and exchanges in publishing literature (November), and exhibition of virtual reality films (October-February 2025).

An exhibition of Korean and Canadian animated films will be held in September at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, one of the world's top three events of its kind, and at the Bucheon International Animation Festival in October.

"Over the past six decades, both countries have continued closely cooperating in many areas like politics and economy," Minister Yu said. "I hope that the two-year 'Cultural Exchange Year' period offers the opportunity to both countries to find and embrace new forms of cultural diversity."

hrhr@korea.kr