By Honorary Reporter Nasim Gerami from Iran

Photos = Nasim Gerami

The King Sejong Institute branch in Tehran, Iran, on July 2 held a Korean-language speech contest at the official residence of Korean Ambassador Kim Jun-pyo.

Students at the institute, contestants and Honorary Reporters attended the event, which also featured cultural activities. Three booths offered Korean craft activities for visitors, with the first featuring block-style keychains, the second gat (traditional hat) and hairbands, and the third diamond paintings featuring Korean motifs. 

From left to right are diamond painting, Lego keychain making, and gat (traditional hat) and hairband events on July 2 at the speech contest.

At the main hall, contestants delivered speeches in Korean and answered questions from the judges, who evaluated their comprehension and conversation. To foster audience engagement, the hosts organized a brief quiz based on the presentations, giving cultural souvenirs to guests who answered correctly.

Marjan Haghi was the grand prize winner and received her award from Ambassador Kim. 

"I feel deeply grateful for getting this opportunity after 10 years of studying Korean," she said. "I want to thank my teacher at the King Sejong Institute and promise to make the most of this opportunity and further improve my Korean skills."

The winners of the speech contest on July 2 pose for a group photo with Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo (sixth from left).

Following the awards ceremony, the top three winners joined Kim in mixing bibimbap, or rice mixed with meat, vegetables and gochujang (red pepper paste), in a large communal bowl. This symbolized the harmonious blend of cultures, individual efforts and shared success like colorful ingredients of the dish.

A reception followed, which featured Korean foods including japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), kimchi, gimmari (dried laver rolls), tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), bibimbap and Korean-style fried chicken.

The contest winners and Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo (right) on July 2 mix ingredients of bibimbap.

My takeaway from the event is that I learned from each of the finalists and will apply their lessons to speaking Korean.

ljyhwa@korea.kr 

*This article was 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.