A week of Korean delight in Abuja

It was a week of Korean festivities recently as the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Korea; (South Korea) celebrated its annual Korean week in Abuja.

The event, which spanned several days was choked full with Korean cultural exhibitions, a special culinary session with chefs flown in from Korea and cultural performances from troupes all the way from the Asian country. There was also a Korean themed film festival that ran at the Silverbird Galleria in Abuja.

Declaring the week of festivities open at a formal reception at Transcorp, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Noh Kyu Duk linked the mythological history of Korea’s foundation to the hit HBO TV series, Game of Thrones, saying, “Standing on this stage once again, it reminds me of the last year’s reception. At that time, I explained to you the mythology of Korean nation’s foundation, which I personally think is the Korea’s simpler version of ‘Game of Thrones,’ starring a heavenly prince, his wife who was originally a bear, a tiger who failed to become a human due to its impatience, and their son Dangun who founded the Korean nation more than four millennia ago.”

The festivities proper kicked off with a six-man Korean Jazz group SE:UM, which thrilled the audience with a fusion of traditional Korean music and western songs, including a rendition of popular Nigerian song, “Ike Ike”.

In the fountain area of the Transcorp, a buffet of Korean cuisine was laid out, prepared by the Korean chefs brought in for the festivities. These chefs also offered training for Nigerian chefs and cooks and people with culinary interests in the art of making Korean foods.

The event also featured a threeday long screening of Korean movies at the Silverbird Galleria, which featured massive turnout by Nigerian lovers of Korean cinema, expats and members of the diplomatic and cultural communities in Abuja.