The 9th edition of “Korean Week,” a South Korean cultural festival taking place from October 8 to 21, officially commenced on Tuesday evening in Algiers. The event featured captivating artistic performances that highlighted the richness, diversity, and authenticity of Korean culture.
The opening ceremony was held at the Ibn Khaldoun Hall and attended by You Ki-Jun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Algeria; Kim Chang-mo, the Secretary General of the Korean-Arab Association; and various members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.
Artistic exhibitions showcased both traditional and contemporary aspects of Korean culture through clothing, music, dance, and more.
This annual event is part of the 17th edition of the Korean-Arab Friendship Caravan, organized by the Korean-Arab Association with the support of the Republic of Korea’s embassies across Arab nations.
During the opening, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea remarked, “Since the establishment of our strategic partnership with Algeria in 2006, we have witnessed a significant strengthening of exchanges and cooperation across multiple fields.” He emphasized his “sincere commitment to further solidifying these relations through ongoing cultural exchanges.”
He also noted that the return of the Korean-Arab Friendship Caravan to Algeria has “concretely highlighted our shared values and interests, serving as a bridge between our cultures despite the distances separating us.”
In his remarks, the Secretary General of the Korean-Arab Association stated that “Algeria possesses a rich historical and cultural heritage,” describing it as a culture that is “unique, vibrant, and recognized globally.” He pointed out that “exchanges between our two countries across various sectors, including economic, academic, and cultural, have notably increased since 2006, when our nations established a strategic partnership.”
Regarding the role of the Korean-Arab Association, he explained that it “facilitates cultural exchanges, working to present Korean culture to the Arab world and vice versa.” He recalled the association’s previous visits to Algeria during the Korean-Arab friendship caravans in 2008, 2010, and 2013, as well as events organized in the Republic of Korea to promote Algerian and Arab culture.
Since its inception in 2016, Korea Week has been organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Algeria with the goal of strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations in the cultural sphere. The initiative aims to foster mutual understanding, create opportunities for cooperation and exchange—particularly among youth—and raise awareness of the diverse aspects of South Korean culture.
