By Redden Soonyoung
Croatia is a newly discovered tourist destination, visited by more than half a million Koreans last year. I had visited this amazing country twice, trying to encourage the cultural links between Korea and Croatia and promoting wonderful Korean traditional art.
So, right after the successful Croatian National Day Reception, held at the Korean National Assembly in Yeouido in late June, I rushed to board a plane to Zagreb for my third visit and to my first Croatian language lessons.
There were 15 students from different countries such as Austria, China, Taiwan, the U.S., Mexico, Vietnam and me from Korea, now part of a new worldwide friends' network. I rented an apartment and took a tram to the building of the Philosophy faculty at Zagreb University for this Croaticum course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day for three weeks.
At the end of my course, I had the chance to be a special guest at the Istrian Annual Pasta Festival in the medieval city of Zminj. I met an old lady who spoke no English, so I had to utilize some of the words I learned on the course, which delighted this warm-hearted Croatian grandma. She taught me enthusiastically how to make this unique Istrian pastry. I also gave a formal greeting speech in the Croatian language that was very well-appreciated and applauded by the large audience. I am confident I have opened even wider the welcome doors to magnificent Istria for all future Korean tourists.
In mid-July, Hwang Yong-woon, a "hanji" (traditional Korean paper) photographer, flew in because we had organized three photo exhibitions. The first exhibition was held in Motovun, a high-perched village, known for its excellent wine and the world's best truffles. Newly appointed Korean Ambassador to Croatia Kim Dong-chan came all the way from Zagreb and made a congratulatory speech. And Zminj Mayor Zeljko Plavcic raised the Korean flag in the front of the City Hall prior to the opening ceremony.
The third exhibition was at the gallery of the 127-year-old Zagreb Fotoklub in the heart of downtown Zagreb, which was attended by almost 200 people. Zagreb Fotoklub President Hrvoje Mahovic and Mr. Hwang started the opening ceremony by holding the Korean flag on the main Zagreb street, surrounded by many welcoming local people.
The exhibitions focused on introducing hanji and sharing Mr. Hwang's patented technique of printing on the rough textured surface of hanji. The exhibition was covered by the Croatian National TV station. The art was very well-received by the wide audience, by the media and by many galleries and people dealing with culture. It was a wonderful occasion to promote this magnificent traditional Korean cultural material.
I was so proud to organize these exhibitions and promote the wonderful cultural cooperation between Korea and Croatia, and this was all possible because of the help and dedicated support of Croatian Ambassador to Korea Damir Kusen and Korean Ambassador to Croatia Kim Dong-chan.
My soul shall remain in Croatia. I long for the next moment I can get off the blue tram at Ban Jelacic square and walk to the clock tower to meet my friends for dinner. I firmly believe Korea and Croatia have a lot to share with each other.
Redden Soonyoung is a life explorer through conversation, cuisine and cultural exchanges by living in three countries, the U.S., Croatia and Korea. She can be reached at soon4870@gmail.com.
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So, right after the successful Croatian National Day Reception, held at the Korean National Assembly in Yeouido in late June, I rushed to board a plane to Zagreb for my third visit and to my first Croatian language lessons.
There were 15 students from different countries such as Austria, China, Taiwan, the U.S., Mexico, Vietnam and me from Korea, now part of a new worldwide friends' network. I rented an apartment and took a tram to the building of the Philosophy faculty at Zagreb University for this Croaticum course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day for three weeks.
At the end of my course, I had the chance to be a special guest at the Istrian Annual Pasta Festival in the medieval city of Zminj. I met an old lady who spoke no English, so I had to utilize some of the words I learned on the course, which delighted this warm-hearted Croatian grandma. She taught me enthusiastically how to make this unique Istrian pastry. I also gave a formal greeting speech in the Croatian language that was very well-appreciated and applauded by the large audience. I am confident I have opened even wider the welcome doors to magnificent Istria for all future Korean tourists.
In mid-July, Hwang Yong-woon, a "hanji" (traditional Korean paper) photographer, flew in because we had organized three photo exhibitions. The first exhibition was held in Motovun, a high-perched village, known for its excellent wine and the world's best truffles. Newly appointed Korean Ambassador to Croatia Kim Dong-chan came all the way from Zagreb and made a congratulatory speech. And Zminj Mayor Zeljko Plavcic raised the Korean flag in the front of the City Hall prior to the opening ceremony.
The third exhibition was at the gallery of the 127-year-old Zagreb Fotoklub in the heart of downtown Zagreb, which was attended by almost 200 people. Zagreb Fotoklub President Hrvoje Mahovic and Mr. Hwang started the opening ceremony by holding the Korean flag on the main Zagreb street, surrounded by many welcoming local people.
The exhibitions focused on introducing hanji and sharing Mr. Hwang's patented technique of printing on the rough textured surface of hanji. The exhibition was covered by the Croatian National TV station. The art was very well-received by the wide audience, by the media and by many galleries and people dealing with culture. It was a wonderful occasion to promote this magnificent traditional Korean cultural material.
I was so proud to organize these exhibitions and promote the wonderful cultural cooperation between Korea and Croatia, and this was all possible because of the help and dedicated support of Croatian Ambassador to Korea Damir Kusen and Korean Ambassador to Croatia Kim Dong-chan.
My soul shall remain in Croatia. I long for the next moment I can get off the blue tram at Ban Jelacic square and walk to the clock tower to meet my friends for dinner. I firmly believe Korea and Croatia have a lot to share with each other.
Redden Soonyoung is a life explorer through conversation, cuisine and cultural exchanges by living in three countries, the U.S., Croatia and Korea. She can be reached at soon4870@gmail.com.
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