Ashraf AboArafe
The Korean Cultural Center in Egypt concluded its 2025 “Korean Cultural Caravan” at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University, marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the university’s Department of Korean Language — the first of its kind in Egypt and the Arab world.
The closing event featured an academic seminar on advancing Korean language education in Egypt, alongside a screening of the acclaimed Korean film “My Lovely Angel.” Students also took part in specialized language sessions for intermediate and advanced levels, and engaged in hands-on workshops exploring facets of Korean life — from crafting traditional tools and trying on the hanbok (traditional attire), to savoring Korean cuisine and playing folk games.
In his remarks, Oh Sung-ho, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt, expressed deep appreciation to the faculty members of the Korean Language Department for their dedication to promoting Korean studies and culture in Egypt. He described the department as “a distinctive intellectual and cultural bridge between the two nations.”
Oh added that the Korean Cultural Center continues to expand opportunities for Korean language education through the King Sejong Institute, noting that two new branches were inaugurated this year at Ain Shams University and Alexandria University. He emphasized that 2025 holds special significance, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Egypt.
For her part, Dr. Salwa Rashad, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun, affirmed that the 20th anniversary of the Korean Language Department is not merely an academic milestone, but a celebration of language as a vessel of communication, cultural exchange, and shared understanding among nations. She praised the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields.
The event concluded with enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members, who expressed joy at engaging in activities that captured the vibrancy of Korean culture — an atmosphere that reflected the depth of friendship and cultural ties between Egypt and South Korea.
