'Arabian Nights in Seoul', South Korea, June 5th - June 8th 2008

[Al-khiyal]

'Arabian Nights in Seoul' to showcase traditional, contemporary Arab culture

SEOUL, May 20, 2008 (Yonhap) -- A cultural festival to open here early next month will present the richness and complexity of Arab cultures, government officials said Tuesday.

The festival, "Arabian Nights in Seoul", will run for four days from June 5, showcasing music, dance and poetry from five Arab countries - Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the Foreign Ministry said.

The event, following "Asia Week" in 2006 and "Caravan to Africa" in 2007, is part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote mutual cultural exchange projects with countries that have experienced little previous cultural exchange with South Korea, ministry officials said.

"Cultural understanding is one of the key channels of communication," said Bae Jae-hyun, director-general of Cultural Affairs Bureau at the foreign ministry.

"While South Korea has been emphasizing introducing its culture to other countries, it seems to have been neglecting to understand the cultures of other countries," said Bae, adding that the festival will make a significant contribution to understanding the diversity of cultures, of which we have had relatively less exposure.

The cultural festival is also to celebrate the launch of the Korea-Arab Society on May 26, an organization that will be devoted to promoting political, economical and cultural exchanges between South Korea and the Arab countries, Bae said.

In the event, a special exhibition, introducing the language, literature, religions, nations, history, art and everyday life of the Arab people, will be presented by the embassies of Arab countries and Arab non-government organizations.

The festival will also feature two workshops on belly dance for kids and Arabic traditional instruments, officials said.

Traditional food from the Middle East is to be served during the festival, they said.

[Bent_Bladi]

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