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Bereket Alemayehu

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Global citizens attend peace concert at Chungju's Ureuk World Music House

The annual spring music event at Ureuk World Music House on April 25 once again brought together global citizens under the theme “Open Heart Open Stage.” People sang, danced, played and shared food they had brought, potluck-style. The traditional Korean house, located at the foot of a forested hill in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, is owned by Anna Cybele, a musician originally from New York. As always, it felt like a magical place; rural layers of green hills hugging a gorgeous hanok lovingly restored were brightened by the global artists and guests, coming originally from Korea, the U.S., Canada, Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Ethiopia and China. For Cybele, the afternoon was another tale of magic in the fantasyland of Ureuk World Music House. “So many kind and happy people, strangers who instantly became friends, gathered and brought amazing home-cooked food, and sang and danced, and hugged and laughed,” she said. Cybele, a classically trained singer, as well as a raga/jazz/pop-influenced singer-songwriter, opened the concert with her Iranian friend Amir by

May 10, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Global citizens attend peace concert at Chungju's Ureuk World Music House
Global Community

Korean American artist exhibits 'Along the LOVE Road' series in Seoul, Buyeo

New York-based Korean American visual artist Sungmo Cho is returning to his homeland after 14 years, bringing his artworks to exhibit at various galleries across the country. Having moved to New York in 1992, his path has been one of adaptation and transformation. His creative works reflect a lifelong reflection on humanity, shaped by migration, memory and a deep connection to nature. The contrast between Korean and American cultures has profoundly shaped Cho’s artistic identity. He has exhibited widely, with more than 30 solo shows in New York, Korea and Japan, in addition to over 150 group shows in four countries. “Like many immigrants, it’s not easy to live as an artist. You have to work, and everything feels unfamiliar — the culture, the language, even daily life,” he told The Korea Times. He recalls the early years as challenging. Yet, over time, he learned to navigate and embrace the differences between Korean society's collectivist nature and American individualism, gradually forming a dual identity that he now carries with ease. “In America, people don’t care what yo

May 8, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Korean American artist exhibits 'Along the LOVE Road' series in Seoul, Buyeo
Global Community

African writers share global insights on Afropolitanism, Black consciousness at Korea University

Two prominent African writers engaged Korea University students in Seoul in a discussion on Afropolitanism and Black consciousness, offering global perspectives through a “glocal” lens. The seminar, held on March 31 and co-hosted by the Network for Glocal Activism and the Institute of African Cultural Studies in Korea, featured renowned author Ishmael Beah of Sierra Leone and South African linguist and researcher Zukile Jama. For Beah, a memoirist and human rights advocate, writing is a way to reclaim ownership over African narratives. “For many years, our stories have been told by other people,” he told The Korea Times. “Even when well-intentioned, they often miss the context. And without the right context, people form stereotypes and incomplete conclusions.” Beah is best known for his 2007 memoir, "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier," in which he recounts his experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War in the 1990s. The book gained international recognition for its powerful and personal portrayal of war, trauma and recovery. His work has reached

Apr 25, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
African writers share global insights on Afropolitanism, Black consciousness at Korea University
Global Community

Gimpo, 'second hometown' of Bangladeshi Jumma community, celebrates new year with Boi-Sa-Bi festival

The new year is celebrated by Bangladesh's Indigenous Jumma community annually in mid-April, during a three-day festival called Boi-Sa-Bi. Here in Korea, the Jumma community held its own Boi-Sa-Bi year-end and new year celebration for the 21st year on Sunday at Hangang New Town Lake Park in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. Organized by the Jumma People's Network Korea (JPNK), established in 2002, and the Gimpo City Foreign Residents' Support Center, the celebration opened with a traditional flower-offering ceremony, a peace march featuring representatives of all 11 Jumma ethnic groups, and a samul nori (Korean percussion) performance by the Kkogume Pungmuldan troupe. The most important traditional festival of the Jumma people, Boi-Sa-Bi is short for Boishuk Sangrai Bizu, a combination of the first syllables of the names for traditional new year festivals of three ethnic groups in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): Bizu for the Chakma people, Sangrai for the Marma people and Boishuk for the Tripura people. It is observed on the final two days of the old year on the local lunar calendar a

Apr 19, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Gimpo, 'second hometown' of Bangladeshi Jumma community, celebrates new year with Boi-Sa-Bi festival
Global Community

Despite global shipping challenges, ART OnO 2026 fair brings galleries, artists to Seoul

Ongoing conflicts are impacting every corner of the global economy this year, and the art world is no exception. International art fairs have been experiencing an impact through increased shipping prices and delivery delays. Despite these challenges, the third edition of Art OnO fair, which ran April 3-5 at SETEC in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, brought together a wide range of exhibitors from countries including Germany, Japan, Romania, Finland, Russia, China, Switzerland, Thailand and Tanzania, alongside Korea. The widespread disruptions in global supply chains caused by the Middle East conflict made their effects felt at this year's art event, Noh Jae-myung, founder of ART OnO, told The Korea Times in an April 2 interview. “It has definitely affected shipping,” he said. “Prices have increased significantly, and more importantly, delivery times have been delayed. Some galleries struggled to receive their crates on time, but fortunately, we managed to receive everything as scheduled.” Despite these logistical hurdles, Noh said the fair ultimately succeeded in maintaining it

Apr 16, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Despite global shipping challenges, ART OnO 2026 fair brings galleries, artists to Seoul
Global Community

Burkinabé choreographer and dancer aims to heal Korea through movement

Sanou Emmanuel arrived in Korea from Burkina Faso in 2012, carrying more than a suitcase but bringing an entire philosophy of life, shaped by the rhythms and movements of West African dance. Today, nearly 14 years later, he stands as one of the most distinctive and quietly influential African figures in Seoul's contemporary dance scene. He leads a group of four dancers and three musicians, under the performance brand Koule Kan Together, creating spaces where African traditional movement meets contemporary choreography, and where the stage becomes a forum for human connection. “In Africa, dance has always made us be together. When I came here, I could feel people becoming alone. And I could see many suicides. It made me sick. Korea has everything for living, everything to be comfortable," he told The Korea Times, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and concern. "Why do people commit suicide? In Burkina Faso, life is very difficult; it is not a rich country. But I never hear of somebody taking their life. Because the community is there." Originally established in Burkina Faso, Koule

Apr 6, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Burkinabé choreographer and dancer aims to heal Korea through movement
Environment & Animals

Korea-based Green Climate Fund helps developing countries access direct finance

Korea’s role as host of the Green Climate Fund is drawing greater attention to how developing countries can access climate finance, particularly through mechanisms designed to bypass traditional intermediaries. Insights from a recent lecture in Seoul highlighted how the institution is expanding direct access to funding, allowing national entities to take greater control over climate projects. “Our goal is not just to fund projects but to help build systems where countries can mobilize climate finance independently,” Olena Borysova, a principal in the GCF’s investment services department, said Feb. 24 during a lecture for Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea. “Our global economy has long been built on burning carbon. The challenge now is how quickly we can transition to systems that are sustainable, resilient and climate-friendly.” To address this need, GCF was established as a key mechanism under the Paris Agreement, working with governments and financial institutions to fund climate projects in developing countries. “Whether climate change is anthropogenic or not, we are alrea

Apr 5, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Korea-based Green Climate Fund helps developing countries access direct finance
Books

'Soju artist' publishes illustrated guide to Korean drinking culture in English

Kim Wan-jun, who calls himself a “soju artist,” published the English translation of his book, “How to Drink Soju: A Guide to K-Drinking Culture & Games,” last month. The 300-page book, with more than 200 illustrations, provides an in-depth look at the history of soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage that is traditionally distilled, as well as exploring its cultural significance and customs surrounding it. Kim, a self-proclaimed upcycling artist widely known as “Funnyjun,” has been documenting Korea’s drinking culture since 2014 and sharing his insights with audiences in Korea and abroad. The Korean version of the book sold out quickly upon its 2021 release. Now the first English print run of 1,000 copies can be purchased at bookstores in Korea as well as distributed directly from him to readers, as he wants to continue promoting it independently. The translation has been reviewed by Jean-Pierre Polonovski, You Yeji and Evan Barringer. Kim did almost all the work in creating the book himself. He wrote the text, illustrated more than 200 drawings, designed the layout and edited

Mar 17, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
'Soju artist' publishes illustrated guide to Korean drinking culture in English
Global Community

Indians in Korea celebrate spring’s colorful Holi Hungama festival in Seoul

Spring arrives this year in an explosion of colors with Holi Hungama, a major Hindu festival celebrated mainly in India and Nepal and by diaspora communities worldwide. Participants throw colored water and powder at each other in a celebration symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the celebration of love, unity and renewal. For anyone in Korea interested in taking part in this high-energy festival, the Indian community here is organizing its own Holi Hungama event. Organizers highlighted that Holi celebrations in Korea began informally within the Indian community in the early 2000s. Over time, through the structured efforts of Indians in Korea (IIK), a registered nonprofit organization and community chamber established in 2002, the festival has evolved into a well-organized multicultural event in Seoul and other cities. IIK President Nagendra Kumar Kaushik, a professor at Kwangwoon University, told The Korea Times about the festival's origins. “Holi has deep roots in Indian mythology,” he explained. “One of its most significant origins is linked to th

Mar 10, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
Indians in Korea celebrate spring’s colorful Holi Hungama festival in Seoul
Global Community

3rd Visual Voices exhibition 'Annyeong' focuses on world peace, well-being

The annual Visual Voices roving exhibition is back for its third year, presenting its poster project and exhibition as a solidarity activity, spreading peace through art. This year's exhibition includes civic participation workshops, dance and sound performances, poetry readings and special lectures by Mohammad Naiem Mohammadi, an Afghan refugee in Korea. Citizens, artists, curators and activists come together to create posters that confront contemporary conflict and violence through art. The exhibition, named "Annyeong" features work by Korean and international artists, refugees, activists and community members who use visual storytelling to highlight issues that are often marginalized or difficult to verbalize to express messages of peace, empathy and human rights. Organizers highlighted that the word "annyeong" is the most common greeting in Korea. "We say it both when we meet and when we part ways. It's a natural expression at the beginning and end of each day, at the opening and closing of relationships," they said. "However, when broken down into Chinese characters, the word signif

Mar 3, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu
3rd Visual Voices exhibition 'Annyeong' focuses on world peace, well-being
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