Qatar-Korea cultural exchange is set to get a further boost with the upcoming Korean musical and dance performances in Doha in early November, South Korea’s new ambassador to Qatar, Chang-mo Kim has said.
Performers of two Korean traditional musical instruments – piri (the Korean pipes) and gayageum (the Korean harp) – and three contemporary – guitar, electronic guitar and keyboard – will be coming to Doha to provide residents with unique and entertaining show.
“We are planning to invite more Korean performance teams to Qatar this autumn to show Korean traditional art and dance to Qataris,” said Kim, a career diplomat who has served in the UK, Afghanistan, United Nations in New York, Austria and Pakistan before coming to Qatar this year.
He noted that internationally-renowned Korean B-boy team’s (Jinjo Crew) visit to Qatar last year received enthusiastic response from Qatari youngsters.
The performance forms part of ‘The Rhythm of Korea’ cultural show, held at the Katara – the Cultural Village, to mark the Korean National Day 2017 in Doha. The celebration in 2016 also witnessed countertenor David Dong Qyu Lee, pianist Sonya Park and Korean musicians of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Katara.
“Qatari traditional dance like A’rda (desert art) and A’ashori (civilian art), if introduced to Korea, could attract lots of curiosity and enthusiasm from Korean people,” Kim said. “We will do our best to promote these kinds of cultural exchanges between our two countries.”
The embassy has been actively promoting Korean culture in Qatar, known to have a deep-rooted history and unique heritage.
Four popular Korean films, which depict family values, humanism and perseverance, were also screened at Hamad bin Khalifa University in March 2017, giving students, faculty members and other residents a better understanding of Korean culture.
Besides culture, Kim said bilateral relations between Qatar and the Republic of Korea in other fields also remain strong and have huge potentials to expand, especially in agriculture (smart farming), fisheries, education, public healthcare, and information and communications technology, among other areas.
The envoy noted that Qatar, its government and people, achieved a lot in its self-sufficiency and food security efforts in the face of a blockade, turning risks into big opportunities.
“Korea has achieved self-sufficiency of its basic foods even though it has very limited arable land – less than 30% of territory – like Qatar,” he pointed out, adding that Korea is ready to share its experience and knowhow with Qatar.
The envoy said smart farming and aquaculture can be potential areas for bilateral co-operation between Qatar and Korea.
“Details of co-operation are being mulled over between the two sides through various channels, including the High Level Strategic Co-operation Committee,” Kim added.
