Ashraf AboArafe
*Port Said – May 8, 2025*
The Korean Cultural Center in Egypt launched its second *Korean Cultural Caravan* today at the Misr Public Library in Port Said, drawing large crowds of school students and library visitors of all ages.
This mobile cultural initiative aims to introduce Korean traditions to remote areas across Egypt, offering a vibrant mix of interactive workshops, exhibitions, and live performances. In addition to promoting cultural exchange, the caravan seeks to raise awareness of the Korean language and the richness of Korean heritage.
The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including introductory Korean language lessons and traditional craft workshops. Participants created carnation flower models—a symbol of *Parents’ Day* in Korea, celebrated annually on May 8—practiced Korean calligraphy, and made decorative masks.
Attendees also enjoyed traditional Korean games, virtual reality experiences, Korean films, and performances of traditional music. A highlight of the day was trying on the **hanbok**, Korea’s iconic traditional attire. Guests also explored traditional Korean instruments and learned about **hanji**, the traditional Korean paper.
Coinciding with the celebration of *Parents’ Day* in Korea, participants learned about the cultural roots and customs of this heartfelt occasion, including the tradition of wearing carnation badges. In Korean culture, the color of the carnation carries special meaning: red indicates both parents are alive; pink signifies one parent is living; and white symbolizes both have passed away.
May is also known as *Family Month* in Korea, featuring *Children’s Day* (May 5), *Parents’ Day* (May 8), and *Teachers’ Day* (May 15), highlighting respect and family values across generations.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Egypt. Speaking at the event, **Oh Sung-ho**, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt, said:
“Port Said, with its rich legacy as a crossroads of global cultures, was a perfect choice for hosting the Korean Cultural Caravan. We hope it strengthens cultural ties and mutual understanding between our nations.”
He added: “As we celebrate this milestone, we are committed to expanding our programs to build bridges between our two countries through language education, artistic collaboration, and more.”
The Korean Cultural Center plans to expand the caravan to additional cities across Egypt, responding to growing interest in the Korean language and culture. More celebratory events are scheduled throughout the year.
