First Official Exchange Achieved Through K-Culture
Songpa District in Seoul (District Mayor Seo Gangseok) announced that it is holding its first official exchange event with a delegation from Bunkyo City, Tokyo, Japan, its sister city, by inviting them during the 25th Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival from September 26 to the closing day on September 28.
Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival Opening Performance. From the second person on the left, Seo Gangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, Bunkyo Ward Mayor, Bunkyo Ward Council Chairman. Provided by Songpa District.
This visit marks the first time a Bunkyo delegation has come to Korea since the sister city agreement was signed in December last year. Previously, in March, Songpa District participated in Bunkyo’s “City Exchange Festa” in Japan, where it promoted the Songpa city brand and received a great response from local residents.
The visiting delegation consists of a total of 38 people, including Bunkyo Mayor Hironobu Narisawa, Council Chairman Yasutoshi Ichimura, 8 officials, and 30 residents. Over the three-day festival, the delegation will attend the opening and closing ceremonies, enjoy performances blending tradition and modernity, experience Korean culture, and tour major facilities.
In particular, the “Korean Cuisine Cooking Class” held on the 27th received an enthusiastic response. Bunkyo residents experienced K-culture by making gimbap and japchae themselves. On the same day, at the “Cultural Experiment Space Lake,” the mayors and council chairmen of both cities cooked together, sharing time for communication against the backdrop of Seokchon Lake.
Bunkyo Mayor Hironobu Narisawa said, “I was impressed by the scale and high artistic quality of last night’s opening performance. I hope the two cities will continue to create opportunities to exchange and support each other in various fields.”
During the day, the Bunkyo delegation visited Songpa’s tourist attractions, including the light sculpture “The Sphere” and the Lotte World Tower observatory “Seoul Sky.” At night, they enjoyed the festival stage featuring Korean traditional music, K-pop, and contemporary dance, fully experiencing both the day and night of Songpa.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Christchurch, New Zealand, also participated in the festival, presenting a traditional Maori “Haka” performance and adding to the vibrancy of the event.
Seo Gangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, said, “Songpa and Bunkyo have built a long-standing friendship across borders since 2009. I am pleased to introduce the charm of Songpa and K-culture to Bunkyo through this festival. We will continue to cooperate with our sister cities in various fields such as culture, tourism, and daily life, and pursue diverse exchanges to enhance the quality of life for our residents.”
Seogangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, declaring the opening on stage. Provided by Songpa District.
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