The event was held at the Municipal Chamber of Sao Paulo in the presence of officials from the Korean Consulate office of Brazil, an association of Korean residents and highly placed officials from South Korean companies, during which an official document was signed by Sao Paulo Mayor Joao Doria, designating August 15th as ‘Korean Culture Day’. (Image: Yonhap)
BRAZIL, May 30 (Korea Bizwire) – An event celebrating the launch of Korean Culture Day was held in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, last Friday.
The event was held at the Municipal Chamber of Sao Paulo in the presence of officials from the Korean Consulate office of Brazil, an association of Korean residents and highly placed officials from South Korean companies, during which an official document was signed by Sao Paulo Mayor Joao Doria, designating August 15th as ‘Korean Culture Day’.
Taking effect this year, the day for Korean culture is expected to be included on both the official website of the city of Sao Paulo as well as in periodicals published by the municipal government.
Coinciding with the National Liberation Day of Korea, many expect the newly-designated day in Brazil will help to introduce Korean culture to Brazilians and other South Americans.
As part of the project, the Brazilian municipal government will install monuments symbolic of South Korea, set up places to promote Korean food and products and provide support for creative talent from South Korea participating in cultural exchanges with their Brazilian counterparts, according to officials.
“The launch of Korean Culture Day is expected to help promote Korean culture to the Brazilian public and revitalize local communities to a great degree,” Hong Young-jong, the South Korean Consul General in Sao Paulo, said.
“It could be a stepping stone to much tighter South Korea-Brazil relations,” Hong added.
During the event at the municipal chamber, videos showcasing Korean culture and explaining the history of Korean immigrants in Brazil were shown, followed by a variety of arts and singing performances including a traditional dance, samulnori – a Korean traditional percussion quartet — and K-pop.
An appreciation plaque was also awarded to five Korean immigrants including the consul general, in celebration of the newly approved support Korean Culture Day has gained.
Sao Paulo’s Mayor Joao Doria (L) and South Korean Consul General in Sao Paulo Hong Young-jong pose with a document designating August 15 as “Korean Culture Day” during their meeting on April 7, 2017, in this photo released by the South Korean Consulate General in the Brazilian city. (Image: Yonhap)
Marking its 11th year this year, Korean Culture Day has been an annual event celebrated every August until it gained state level recognition recently.
The designation of Korean Culture Day comes after a Koreatown was formed in 2010 in Bom Retiro, a densely-populated area in Sao Paulo.
Previously, the mayor of Sao Paulo has said he would push ahead with a project to make Bom Retiro “Little Seoul,” where this year’s event of Korean Culture Day is expected to be held.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
