Diversity of music cherished by diplomats
By Kim Se-jeong
Diplomats in the audience at The Korea Times’ Spring Music Festival, Thursday, were impressed by the diversity of the musical works performed.
Camila Avina Zavala from the Mexican Embassy was thrilled to hear music by his country’s composer musician Agustin Lara.
“I was particularly surprised and moved by the deeply-felt interpretation of Granada, one of the masterpieces of the Mexican composer Agustin Lara.”The song “Granada” was written about Spain where he gained fame in the 1940s.
The 100-minute concert featured musicians from Russia, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Austria and Korea.
The diplomatic community has long supported the concert, which has become an annual event organized by The Korea Times.
Diplomats from nearly 20 countries were present. Attendees include Brazilian Ambassador Edmundo Fujita and his wife Maria Ligaya; Malaysian Ambassador Dato Ramlan bin Ibrahim; Peruvian Ambassador Jaime Pomareda; Paraguayan Ambassador Ceferino Valdez; Kenyan Ambassador Ngovi Kitau; Romanian Ambassador Calin Fabian; Lebanese Ambassador Jad El Hassan; and director of the French Cultural Institute Daniel Ollivier.
“I thank The Korea Times for the concert. It was a good start to the season after a harsh winter,” said Ramlan, who was there for the second consecutive time. “I was especially happy to see my favorite singer Woongsan. I even have one of her CDs at home.”
Ollivier said, “the concert was proof that Seoul is a big cultural capital.” His institute is spearheading efforts to make French culture visible in Korea. It has recently held an exhibition featuring renowned French artist Sophie Calle.
“The singers were able to connect with the people in the audience. The songs were full of emotion,” said Enrique Cardenas from Peru. Peru and Korea are celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing official diplomatic relations, and the embassy in Seoul is brainstorming for the cultural presentations later in the year.