Ashraf AboArafe
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt hosted the “Korean-Arab Friendship Caravan 2024” at the prestigious Sayed Darwish Hall in Giza on October 12, 2024. This vibrant cultural event, held in partnership with the Korean-Arab Friendship Association, celebrated the deepening cultural ties between Korea and Egypt, through a blend of traditional and contemporary arts from both countries.
The caravan featured a unique lineup of talented artists from Korea and Egypt, with performances that bridged cultural communication through music and dance. The evening began with a captivating performance by the Conservatory Percussion Ensemble, showcasing the musical talents of young Egyptians, followed by a dazzling performance by the Jindo National Center for Traditional Music Ensemble from Korea, who captivated the audience with their rhythmic interpretation of Korean folk music. Attendees were also treated to an energetic performance by the world-famous Korean breakdancing group Expression Crew, whose blend of contemporary dance and breakdancing brought a lot of energy to the hall.
What made this year’s performance special was the participation of young Egyptian talents. The Conservatory’s percussion troupe showcased their skills, while this year’s K-pop winners, Petersuit, wowed the audience with a synchronized dance to popular K-pop songs. Their participation brought youthful energy and highlighted the important cultural cooperation between the two countries.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Kim Young-hyun, Ambassador of Korea to Egypt, expressed his pleasure in hosting the Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan, stressing the importance of mutual cultural exchange. He also celebrated the recent Nobel Prize win by Korean writer Han Kang on October 10, noting the shared literary bond between Korea and Egypt, which in turn celebrates Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz. This communication strengthens the cultural ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Kim said, “The Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan is not only a celebration of our cultural heritage, but also a platform to establish lasting bonds between our peoples.” The event was attended by over 500 guests, including prominent figures from the diplomatic community, Egyptian government officials, artists, and students. Attendees were encouraged to participate in an online survey through QR codes distributed during the event. As a special incentive, exciting prizes were offered to participants, including K-pop albums and Korean beauty products.
The Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan is part of a broader series of cultural programs launched by the Korea-Arab Friendship Association to strengthen ties between Korea and the Arab world. With its rich blend of music, dance, and collaborative performances, the event highlighted the power of cultural diplomacy in uniting the two nations in a shared celebration of artistic traditions.
As the curtain fell on this unforgettable evening, the enthusiastic response from the audience underscored the growing cultural relationship between Korea and Egypt, reinforcing the idea that music and dance transcend borders and bring people together in harmony.
