By Honorary Reporter Chaima Anane from Algeria
Photos = Chaima Anane

Launching the ninth Korean Cultural Week in Algeria, the Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan was held on Oct. 8 at Ibn Khaldoun Hall in Algiers. This event was organized in collaboration with the Korea-Arab Society and supported by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korean Embassy in Algeria.

The caravan is an annual program to promote Korean culture in Arab countries and strengthen ties between the two regions through performing arts that blend traditional and contemporary Korean elements. The embassy also promoted the free event through its social media accounts.

The Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan is an annual event to promote Korean culture in the Arab world. 

Attending the event was Ambassador to Algeria You Ki-Jun and Kim Chang-moo, secretary-general of the Korean-Arab Society and former Korean ambassador to Algeria, both of whom gave speeches to a packed exhibition hall. 

Then came the performances. A girl group from the Jindo National Gugak (Traditional Music) Center presented the traditional hwagwanmu (flower crown dance). The visual feast had Hanbok (traditional attire) worn by the dancers, beautiful peony flowers in their hands and a Hanok (traditional house) in the background.

The following performance of samulnori (traditional percussion music) featured diverse rhythms and rapid changes in notes, which fueled high energy within the audience. The atmosphere rose after dancers entered the stage to dance to the music, not to mention the traditional Hanbok and ribbons on hats that the dancers wore.

The first part concluded with talchum (traditional mask dance).

The top and bottom photos on the left are of hwagwanmu performances, the one on the upper right is of talchum and that on the bottom right samulnori.

After these performances, the b-boy group Expression Crew showed the more modern side of Hallyu (Korean Wave) through performances that combine breaking and puppetry like the dance show "Marionette." The group also presented street, modern and expressive dance.

Expression Crew presents a variety of performances on stage. 

In addition, RefKA, an Algerian group of digital supporters of Korean culture, held an exhibition where I showed my works from minhwa (folk art) and Korean calligraphy classes. Visitors offered positive feedback on my paintings, filling me with pride and gratitude for taking part in this significant event. 

[email protected]

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.