By Honorary Reporter Lobna Gamal Abdel Nasser from Egypt

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Egypt from July 11-17 held Korean Culture Week at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. I received an invitation from the KCC to attend the opening ceremony on July 11.

The event aimed to highlight the similarities between Korean and Egyptian civilizations and the depth of relations between the two nations. I got to experience facets of Korean culture like Hanbok (traditional clothing) styles and traditional instruments. 

Exhibition of traditional attire (left) and lifestyle and culture (right). (Lobna Gamal)

Starting things off was a captivating performance by Sangjaru, a band specializing in traditional music. Next was displays of living spaces at traditional houses like the sarangbang, the men's quarters to receive guests or pursue scholarly pursuits, and the anbang, or women's room was the central hub of daily life.

The separation of spaces reflected the societal roles and values in traditional Korean life. The exhibition also featured a modern Hanbok adorned with the Hangeul character su, symbolizing wishes for health and longevity. 

Poster for Korean Culture Week from July 11-17 at National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (KCC in Egypt)

Among the exhibits, traditional instruments caught my eye like the gayageum, a wooden instrument with 12 strings. I also checked out other instruments including the danso (vertical bamboo flute), haegeum (traditional two-stringed fiddle), taepyeongso (double-reed oboe), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), buk (barrel drum) and kkwaenggwari (small gong).

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.