Korea Festival begins with rich tributes to Zayed

2018 edition includes Year of Zayed Exhibition featuring works by Emirati, Korean artists

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The annual Korea Festival began in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday with a light show paying tribute to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the friendship between the UAE and South Korea. Held every year since 2013, the festival organised by the Korean Cultural Centre runs till November 10.

“This year’s Korea Festival is specially organised to celebrate the Year of Zayed. The festival is one of the most important events we host annually to enhance mutual understanding between the people from both countries,” said Park Kang-ho, South Korea’s ambassador to the UAE.

This year’s festival will feature a Year of Zayed Exhibition featuring both Emirati and Korean artists, musical and theatrical performances, Korean cooking classes, and a Korea Happiness Festival.

“When different cultures meet, it creates great synergy. The UAE is a good example of a country where many different cultures coexist,” said Kim Taeun, a Korean artist involved with the Year of Zayed Exhibition.

Another Korean artist, Yangkura, said he believed events like the Korea Festival helped connect countries.

“There is a long distance between the UAE and Korea, but we are both Asian countries and so we need to know more about each other. Festivals like this are a great way of building connections between one another,” he said.

Abdul Rahman/Gulf News Visitors look at the ceramic painting of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan by Emirati artist Abdullah Sulaiman at the Korea Festival at National Theatre in Abu Dhabi yesterday.