Kazakhstan-Korea Week

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A Korea Week Festival was held from May 4 to 9 in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, and Almaty, the largest city in the country, to mark 2011 as the “Year of Korea."

More than 4,000 people, including local residents and high-profile government officials from both countries, participated in the festival, which was organized by the Presidential Council on National Branding.

There were also representatives from five Korean government ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and seven public organizations, including the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

The festival began with a “Night of Korea” event in Almaty on May 4. The AT&D KOREA Road Show was hosted by KOTRA and a showcase event for broadcasting contents organized by the Korea Communications Commission was also held on the same day. 

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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held an opening ceremony of “Night of Korea” on May 5 in Astana, where a Korean film festival and photo exhibition on Korean tourism started the next day.

Business people and opinion leaders from six of Kazakhstan’s neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijani Republic, participated in the AT&D KOREA Road Show forums, exhibitions and consulting services, focusing on the theme of smart technology, and KOTRA introduced state-of-the art technology and designs. 

The Korea Communications Commission promoted Korean broadcasting contents their export by screening Korean TV programs at the showcase event, a TV broadcasting showcase and business consulting meeting.

More than 200 people, including government officials from both countries, business leaders, journalists and Korean residents in Kazakhstan, attended the “Night of Korea” event with Korean and local folk performances in Almaty on May 4.

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Among the expected 3,000 attendees at the opening ceremony are Korean Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Mo Chul-min and his Kazakhstani counterpart, Chairwoman of the Presidential Council on National Branding Lee Bae-Yong and KOTRA CEO Cho Hwan-Eik. Some popular Hallyu stars, including actor Song Il-Gook and the band Tmax, performed at the event. Chongdong Theater put on a performance of its well-known musical, “Miso,” which was shown on Kazakhstani TV.

By Yoon Sojung

Korea.net Staff Writer