The Sharjah Department of Government Relations hosted a South Korean cultural and musical event at the Sharjah Cultural Palace yesterday (Friday), as part of the Korean Cultural Week being celebrated across the country.

Performed by the Korean musical ensemble ’Do Dance’, the musical show was held in collaboration with South Korea’s Consulate General in Dubai, to introduce the authentic musical storytelling and cultural heritage to the Emirati community. The cultural event aligns with Sharjah’s efforts to enhance its cultural ties with countries worldwide.

The event was attended by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Cultural Relations, HE Chun Young-wook, Consul General of South Korea in Dubai, HE Chairat Sirivat, Thailand’s Consul General in Dubai, and a number of official figures and diplomats.

The evening kicked off with the music ensemble ‘Do Dance’ presenting an enthralling dance programme that reflected the rich history of the Korean province of Jeollabuk-Do. They began with the traditional dance ‘Hwagwanmu, a floral folk dance performed by the queen wearing a traditional dress embroidered with national flowers, in a show of respect to peace, love and prosperity in their country.

In delicate and elegant traditional costumes, the dancers enthralled the audience with ‘Hanbok Cheung Yun’’, one of the famous traditional dances of South Korea. In a folk show performed to Korean traditional music, the group fascinated the audience with their improvisation techniques that blended Korean rhythms with the traditional drum. The band performed another spectacular musical piece, blending Gayageum folk medley and the traditional drum, narrating Korea’s rich history of traditional music and dancing.

In a pansori musical storytelling, Korean opera singer Pang SuMi captivated the audience with folk songs that reflected Korea’s rich cultural heritage. SuMi delighted the crowds with some of the most emblematic folk songs that have forged and shaped the Korean cultural identity, such as Arirang. Pansori is considered a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

The audience was then treated to a highly entertaining dance performance. Dressed in beautiful costumes, a group of female dancers mesmerised the audience with their graceful and elegant movements that blended Korean rhythms with the traditional drum that exemplifies the country’s rich musical heritage. The same group then captivated the crowds with the fan dance, one of the most popular folk dances that dates back 300 years.

Highlighting the importance of culture as a bridge between nations, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, said cultural exchange between countries helps promote dialogue and cooperation between various civilisations and cultures, and is the key to building fruitful relations with the entire world.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi said: “In Sharjah, we follow the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to strengthen avenues of cultural understanding with all countries in the world by focusing on the power of knowledge, art and creativity in communicating with people worldwide.”

Sheikh Fahim underlined the importance of organising the UAE Cultural Week across the world to build bridges of communication with people, referring to the programmes organised recently in Turin, Saint Petersburg and Moscow to introduce Sharjah’s rich history and pioneering knowledge and intellectual projects.

He added: “Sharjah enjoys an integrated cultural infrastructure, proudly being home to theatres, museums and important cultural events organised annually, all of which have contributed to it being crowned the prestigious UNESCO World Book Capital 2019 title.”

Speaking on the occasion, HE Chun Young-wook, Consul General of South Korea in Dubai, said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here with you at the beautiful Sharjah Cultural Palace today. It is a great honour for us to showcase South Korean cultural performances, one of the main features of South Korea Cultural Week 2019, for the first time here in the emirate of Sharjah, which is known as the cultural capital of the Arab world.”

The cultural programme concluded with a Hanbok Fashion Show that highlighted the beauty and elegance of Korean traditional costumes and dresses which has contributed to shaping the national identity of South Korea.