By Honorary Reporter Ramona Stefania Tulug from Romania
Photos = Ramona Stefania Tulug

An event celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Romania was held on March 6 at CN Gallery in Seoul. 

The venue attracts artists from both the Seoul metropolitan region and Chungcheongnam-do Province for cultural exchange.

The display "Romanian Folk Traditions" celebrated 35 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Romania.

The exhibition featured three showcases: "Romanian Folk Traditions," "Romanians on Holy Days" and "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chungcheongnam-do." Virgil Nitulescu, general manager of the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, presented Romanian cultural heritage, Mihaela Nastase presented the photo series "Romanians on Holy Days," and traditional Korean crafts on display featured Hanbok and chimseon (traditional needlework) from Chungcheongnam-do. 

Romanian Ambassador to Korea Cezar Manole Armeanu made an opening speech on the robust relationship between the two sides. He specifically thanked Romanian studies majors at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) for strengthening bilateral cultural ties.

Ambassadors and diplomats gather at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cultural and artistic exchange.

Afterward, Seo Heung-sik, director of the Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation, and Nitulescu discussed cultural collaboration, followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between their institutions to promote cultural and artistic exchanges.

On the left are Romanian studies students from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies dressed in traditional Romanian attire and on the right are martisoare, or handicrafts to mark Martisor, a Romanian tradition observed on March 1 that marks the arrival of spring.

Attending the event were 18 ambassadors and diplomats from Europe, Asia and South America, with HUFS students wearing traditional Romanian attire.

The celebration concluded with a workshop on Martisor, a Romanian tradition on March 1 marking the arrival of spring. Students crafted martisoare, or handicrafts featuring twisted threads in red and white attached to decorative ornaments and said to bring good luck.

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 Korean.