Korean Week

Korean Week featuring an academic seminar, quality films and a photo exhibition

The Korean Embassy celebrates the 20th anniversary of diplomacy between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Cyprus with a series of events showcasing the Korean culture and promoting the relations between the two countries.

The Korean Week launches on the 25th of May with an international academic seminar at the University of Nicosia. The seminar will cover political issues that are relevant both for Cyprus and Korea, paving the way to a new horizon for the bilateral relations. Discussion topics include the Korean Government’s Security Strategy for Responding to North Korea Provocations, the Korean Government’s Strategy for Human Right Conditions in North Korea and Restoration of Trust, and the Parallel Paths of Cyprus and Korea. Speakers include Prof. Kyu-Dok Hong from SookMyung Women’s University and former Deputy Minister for Defense Reform, Prof. Hyun In-taek from Korea University and Former Minister of Unification, Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Minister Plenipotentiary Head at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Zenonas Tziarras, Analyst from the Diplomatic Academy of the University of Nicosia. The seminar starts at 10:30am and is open to all.

A photo exhibition will follow on the 25th and 26th of May, featuring dozens of photographs dedicated to the Korean war, nature, arts and culture, under three thematic concepts: Modern Architecture, Physical Landscape in Four Seasons, Culture and Traditions. The photo exhibition, co-organized with the Korea Foundation, will take place at the Melina Merkouri Hall in Nicosia, from 14:00 to 19:00, and the entrance is free.

On the evenings of the 25th and 26th of May, film lovers will have the opportunity to watch two highly successful modern Korean films. “Architecture 101”, screening on the 25th of May, is a thoughtful romantic film dealing with the subject of the first love, but also with time, memory, recollection, nostalgia and the volatility of life. The film, directed and written by Lee Yong-joo, who helmed the 2009 horror hit Possessed, was a box office hit in Korea in 2012 and has been praised by critics for the casts’ solid and natural performances. The second film, “Forever the Moment”, screening on the 26th of May, is a sports drama inspired by a true story. The film chronicles the events leading up to the South Korean women's handball team that won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, depicting the challenges in the professional and family lives of these extraordinary women. The film is directed by Yim Soonrye, one of the few female directors in the Korean film industry, who is well-known for dealing in her movies with marginalized individuals who are forgotten by society. The film was a box office hit in Korea with 4 million admissions in six weeks. Both films screen at 19:00 at the Melina Merkouri Hall with English subtitles. The entrance is free.

In the framework of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Cyprus, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, accredited to the Republic of Cyprus, will host a reception ceremony for high-ranked government officials, diplomats and Cypriot dignitaries on the 27th of May as well as a press conference for media representatives on the 26th of May.

The Korean Week is held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Cyprus.