The exterior of the New York Culture Center is shown in this undated photo provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 27, 2024.
SEOUL, June 27 (Korea Bizwire) – A multipurpose Korea Center has officially opened in New York, marking a significant expansion as a gateway to Korean culture, the culture ministry announced Thursday.
“It will serve as a multiplex cultural hub for audiences that provides a window into Korean art, music, film, history, language, literature, and cuisine,” the ministry stated.
Originally opened in 1979 and now celebrating its 45th anniversary, the center had previously leased part of the sixth floor in a Park Avenue building. In response to the burgeoning global interest in Korean culture, music, cuisine, and travel destinations, it has relocated to a larger, dedicated building in Manhattan’s Midtown area.
A performance theater is shown in the photo provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 27, 2024.
The newly constructed nine-story center, occupying a 3,383-square-meter plot on 32nd Street in Manhattan, now houses the Korean Cultural Center, a King Sejong Korean-language learning center, and branches of the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Creative Content Agency.
The center boasts a 190-seat theater for performances and film screenings in the basement, alongside an exhibition space, a library, and a cooking classroom.
During its soft opening phase, the center attracted approximately 8,000 visitors, according to the ministry.
An exhibition space is shown in this photo provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 27, 2024.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday (U.S. time). Approximately 150 prominent figures from the cultural sector, including Culture Minister Yoo In-chon, are expected to attend.
The event will feature a variety of cultural performances, including artists from the National Gugak Center and the New York Classical Players.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
