Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Argentine embassy opens Mafalda Cultural Space
Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Bascou unveils the plaque for the Mafalda Cultural Space, named after iconic Argentine comic strip character Mafalda, at the country's embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Embassy of Argentina in Korea
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The Embassy of Argentina in Korea opened the Mafalda Cultural Space that will showcase the Latin American country's rich culture to Koreans.
"As we look on the eve of the very important 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of Korea, it is an honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the opening of the Mafalda Cultural Space at the Embassy of Argentina," Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Bascou said during the opening ceremony, Thursday
The space's name Mafalda comes from a famous Argentine comic strip character created by Joaquin Salvador Lavado Tejon, also known as Quino.
Mafalda is a six-year-old girl who seeks social equality. She is an iconic character in Latin America, taking into consideration the political context as the comic strip ran from 1964 to 1973, when many Latin American countries were under military dictatorships.
"Perhaps not everyone here knows the Mafalda, but for Argentines it is an icon of our culture. Mafalda is a curious, restless girl with a committed attitude toward the world that became an icon of Argentine customs and personality," the ambassador explained.
"Naming our cultural space Mafalda is both a tribute to its creator and a pleasure for all of us. The intensity of Korean cultural life motivated us to inaugurate this cultural space, from where we will continue with the initiatives interrupted by the pandemic, such as a tango school and Argentine cinema screening, and we will start new events such as seminars on Argentine culture and art exhibitions,” ambassador Bascou said.
"We hope that the Mafalda Cultural Space will play a great role in presenting and propagating the Argentines and their culture in Korea," Park Wan-soo, president of the Society of Argentina in Korea, said in his congratulatory remarks.