Denmark, Sweden mark 60 years of ties with Korea
Scandinavian countries to kick off various cultural events throughout 2019
Denmark and Sweden will celebrate the 60th anniversaries of their diplomatic relations with Korea this year, their embassies said last week.
The two Scandinavian countries unveiled a logo designed to highlight the anniversaries of their diplomatic treaties with Korea on March 11, 1959.
The logos highlight the number 60 and also combine the simplified flags of Korea as well as their own to symbolize the partnership.
For Denmark’s logo, the designers emphasized exchanges between the two countries by using red and blue alternately, and using progressive and modern fonts.
To mark the establishment of Denmark-Korea relations, the two agreed to designate 2019 as the “year of cultural exchange,” during President Moon Jae-in’s official visit to Copenhagen in October 2018.
The celebratory events will take place throughout this year, aiming to help Danes and Koreans better understand each other’s cultures and bolster exchanges.
On Jan. 16, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform in Copenhagen. This will be the opening performance for the “year of cultural exchange” and also the first from the Korean side.
“It is expected to serve as a meaningful opportunity to play works by Korean and Danish composers, and thereby deepen friendship between the two countries,” the Embassy of Denmark in Korea said.
Other events will take place in Denmark, including a briefing session on tours to Korea in February; Nanta and Coreyah performances in March; the Scent of Ink performance by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company in April; a kimchi festival in June; and Korean film screening and taekwondo demonstrations in the second half of the year.
From the Swedish side will be “Sweden talk,” a series of lectures held every month to give the Korean public a better understanding of Sweden in a wide range of areas. The lectures will begin on Jan. 28.
The embassy plans to upload monthly video clips about Swedish values, such as innovation and peace, on its social media outlets.
Sweden and Korea will feature contemporary dancing in each other’s country in March.
On March 31, a documentary about a Swedish field hospital during the 1950-53 Korean War will be screened at Seoul Museum of History.
During his visit to Copenhagen, President Moon agreed with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to expand economic and trade relations to new areas, such as health and welfare.
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf was among 26 foreign leaders to attend the PyoengChang Winter Olympics in February 2018.