By Honorary Reporter Vincenzo Acampora Carratura from Italy
Photos = Kimchi & Basilico 

With my Korean culture startup Kimchi & Basilico, I organized a "Korean Day" event on June 23 in Naples, Italy, and another the next day in the town of Avellino. My program received support from the Women's and Culture in Network, Korea Women's Cultural Life Association and my blog partner Viaggio in Corea and sponsorship from the newspaper Women's News, Korea Ceramic Museum, Naples University L'Orientale and the Korean food brand Chung Jung One.

The Naples event was hosted at the old city center by the cultural organization Il Giardino Segreto di Napoli and that in Avellino by Le Masserie Piano on hills overlooking the town.

Participants try on Hanbok in the Italian town of Avellino on June 24.

The interactive event featured Korean cultural programs such as trying on Hanbok (traditional clothing), one of the most popular activities. I also curated the photo exhibition "Haenyeo of Jeju: Divers, Mothers and Women" that showcased photographs of haenyeo (female divers) that I took on a day in 2018 that I spent with a diver.

A traditional tea ceremony attracted over 60 people in groups of 10 who asked a lot of questions.

Attendees taste Korean food at the event in Naples.

The highlight of the event was tasting Hansik (Korean food). Thanks to the support from our chefs and Chung Jung One, we offered dishes to more than 200 people.

The ACF taekwondo team take a photo before its demonstration. 

In addition, the Naples-based taekwondo school ACF led by Anna Ianniello, former member of the Italian national taekwondo team, gave an amazing performance and even invited guests to try moves. Another program discussed cooperation among organizations promoting Korean culture such as Kimchi & Basilico and both Korean and Italian cultural institutions.

Sara Bochicchio from L'Orientale University and Choi Soon-ja recite poems with students.

The event ended with poetry readings by Korean studies majors from Naples L'Orientale University featuring works by famous Korean poets like Yun Dong-ju, Moon Jung-hee, Lee Yeon-ju and Choi Seung-ja. A Korean-language student whose major was Italian comics also gave a presentation on Korean webtoons.

Andrea de Benedittis, a professor at the university's Korean-language department, said, "I'm very grateful for participating in such a fun event to promote Korean culture. I hope this kind of event continues in Italy." 

The scholar provided interpretation at the news conference of Korean soccer player Kim Min-jae, who played for SSC Napoli for two seasons before moving this month to French giant PSG. 

Choi Soon-ja, the head of the Incheon branch of Women's News, said, "I hope this event is the starting point for forming a cultural exchange network with women from European countries and promoting Korean culture."

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things.