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| EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez, front in blue dress, makes a toast with Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko, second from right, wearing a blue mask, and other EU member state envoys in Korea during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Europe Day event in Seoul Plaza, downtown Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of the EU delegation to Korea |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
European embassies in Korea celebrated Europe Day in Seoul Plaza, May 9, with the Embassy of Ukraine to Seoul as a way to show solidarity with the war-torn country. The embassies of 24 EU member states as well as the EU delegation and Embassy of Ukraine took part in this year's event, which brought some vitality to the city center after two years of the pandemic. Each country's booth offered a variety of items introducing the country, from iconic food to travel brochures.
"This is my first Europe Day event in Korea because we couldn't do anything last year because of COVID. So I am very happy that we can come out to the heart of Seoul in City Hall Plaza with all the European embassies in Korea," EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez said.
"What we wanted to celebrate today with Seoul citizens is mainly the principles we share with Korea and we are here in this plaza with Ukraine to stand with them," she continued.
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| The embassies of 24 EU member states as well as the EU delegation and Embassy of Ukraine take part in the 2022 Europe Day event in Seoul Plaza, downtown Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of the EU delegation to Korea |
Europe Day commemorates the birth of the European Union (EU), dating back to 1950. As European countries tried to recover from the aftermath of World War II, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman suggested a supranational organization, which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
"We celebrate the unity of the 27 European countries for peace and prosperity. Seventy years ago on this day, a statement of less than 10 minutes changed the destiny of a whole continent," Ambassador Castillo said.
"France, through the voice of Robert Schuman, reached out to Germany and other European countries with the historic Schuman Declaration that proposes a unique union based on shared values, principles and solidarity for peace and prosperity across Europe."
Ambassador Castillo also noted the crises the EU's solidarity faces, such as the ongoing pandemic, climate change and more recently, Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine.
"On this day, our hearts especially go out to the people of Ukraine who are still fighting for freedom, human rights, democracy and rule of law," she said. "These are fundamental values we stand for. It shows us that the objective of European solidarity and unity is more valid than ever."
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| Visitors take a look at Ukrainian foods and crafts at the country's booth during the 2022 Europe Day event in Seoul Plaza, downtown Seoul, Monday. Ukraine was invited to the event this year as the embassies of EU member states in Korea stand with the war-torn country. Courtesy of the EU delegation to Korea |
Ukrainian Ambassador to Seoul Dmytro Ponomarenko greeted guests at his country's booth, which offered traditional Ukrainian food and crafts to represent the country's unique culture.
"We are so pleased to be here because we think of ourselves as part of the European family. Ukraine is fighting against Russia to keep the peace of Europe and definitely, we do this not only for Europe but for the whole world. And we are very proud and we hope the next step for us is to be a member of the European Union," he said.
Then he introduced Ukrainian dishes, such as "vareniki" (dumplings with potatoes and onions), "kartoplianyky" (mashed potato patties with meat fillings) and "uzvar" (a drink made by boiling dried fruits).
Other European delicacies, such as Austria's "salzstangerl" (salt bread roll) with "Liptauer" spread and Belgium's waffles with cream also built up long queues.
The Danish booth hosted a quiz on Denmark and a Lego guessing game with Lego sets as prizes, boasting the famous toy brick company started in Denmark. The Swedish booth's big Dala Horse sculpture became a popular photo spot for the visitors who flocked to Seoul Plaza. Ireland promoted its literary heavyweight, James Joyce.
The booths of Croatia and the Czech Republic were crowded with visitors as those are popular destinations among Korean tourists. The three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania promoted tourist sites in their countries to attract Korean visitors to lesser-known parts of Europe.
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| A visitor asks questions about Romania and other European countries at the Romanian booth of the 2022 Europe event in Seoul Plaza, downtown Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of the EU delegation to Korea |
Romania's booth was very popular as the country hosted quiz games about Romania and the EU, and offered Romanian snacks and souvenirs as prizes.
Cezar Manole Armeanu, the ambassador of Romania to Korea, gestured to one of the prizes, a souvenir magnet of the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania.
"Our Parliament is the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon," he explained.
"We are very pleased to present to the Korean people new information about European countries and our country and to get to know each other better," Armeanu said.
