The Korea Foundation portraits Spain by exhibition and lectures
“Photo by Photo. A Portait of Spain” was organized under the sponsorship of Acción cultural Española (AC/E) and supported by the Embassy of Spain in Seoul and the Korea Foundation. The exhibition visits Korea on the occasion of Spain's participation at the the International Exposition Yeosu Korea 2012 and it plays a vital role in introducing Spanish culture to Koreans as well as visitors from all over the world. This exhibition held by the work of fifteen photographers who developed their work based on personal viewpoints and represents their own approaches in both content and in their aesthetic way of dealing with images of Spain. The exhibition expressively illustrated the history of Spain from 1950 until recently including the affliction through the trials after war, economic development in the history of the eddy, and preserving people and the urban landscape of the time.
Luis Arias Romero, an ambassador of Spain in Seoul, stated that “The selection of sixty photographs makes up a narrative that ranges from panoramic aerial views of our cities to the most intimate details of the everyday lives of individual Spanish people. Reflected here are public and private works, the vibrancy of tourism, the arrival of waves of immigrants, our country’s historical and cultural heritage, and the new fashions and attitudes of the younger generations in contemporary Spain. The art and skill of our most renowned photographers give us the opportunity to enjoy these images of modernity, tradition, and change.”
According to congratulatory message from Byung-kook Kim, president of The Korea Foundation, “In today’s world, Korea is expanding its efforts to raise the global profile of the nation and to communicate with the world through cultural diplomacy. Culture is really a shortcut to mutual understanding, and the cornerstone for strengthening exchanges and cooperation. As a result of these cultural exchanges, our nations are being linked through Spanish Literature, and attracted by the artistic skills and virtuosity of Spanish music, art film and dance.”
Besides the exhibition, The Korea Foundation prepared useful lectures regarding Spanish culture in order to help interpretation of its culture and the display itself. The lectures are divided into three sections, firstly, Santiago, pilgrims’ way, secondly, passionate flamenco, Lastly, Spanish regional traditional festival by Elia Rodrigez. Although there were two important lectures that deliver Spanish culture and its importance, the last lecture was the one which can show the Spanish culture and sprit the most. Here are some famous and important festivals which can represent Spainish culture.
1. Las Fallas (fireworks march 12th~ 19th)
Throughout Valencia region, Las Fallas is held for a week, from March 12th to 19th (the day of San Jose). It boasts a long history from the medieval era. The origin of the festival comes from carpenters who celebrated the end of the winter by burning trees and bushes. Later, it changed into burning dolls, representing the region and the unusable old furniture.
2. La Feria de Abril (Festival of April)
In short words, this festival is for participants to have a great time in small artificial island.
3. Los Sanfermines (July 6th ~ July 14th)
The most favorite factor in San Fermin is Encierro (cattle driving). During the festival, every morning at 8:00 am, people repeat Encierro. Unlike the traditional method of cattle driving, which solely leads bulls, in Encierro a lot of people herd cattle together by running. However, as this Encierro is dangerous, people get easily hurt and can even, lead to death. Encierro is also known as the "Running of the Bulls" in Western countries.
4. La Tomatina (Tomato festival – the end of August)
La Tomatina is held on every August, in Buñol Valencia. In 1945, there was a parade, and some kids jumped to the procession and people got mad. There was a grocery store, and people started to throw tomatoes to each other. Although that particular fight was over, people gathered up next year and started the festival from that day on. This festival got famous after appeared in TV in 1983. Each year the festival gets bigger and bigger.
After the helpful lecture was over, I interviewed the lecturer, Elia Rodregez, who currently majoring in Korean culture.
1. Why did you major Korean history and culture?
Actually, this is the hardest question for me to answer. I firstly majored in Spanish language and literature in Spain. However, as there were a lot of recruiting problems in Spain, I looked for other things to study. Then by some reasons, East Asian Studies caught my eyes and I began to learn Japanese. By some personal reasons, I faced various problems before going to Japan, which made me to come to Korea instead with scholarship. So, I began to learn Korean, by and by, I tried to learn Korean history, religion, culture.
2. How do you define Korean culture?
I cannot say this in words. Actually, this is a very hard for me to answer as I am a student currently, who is learning about what culture is. It might be impossible for me to explain what culture is in Spanish too. HaHa
3. Can you describe “Spain” in a word?
Pasión (passion). We have very different cultures from region to region. However, passion is the one which can bond Spain into one. Southern part is more closely related to passion fiesta. If you look at the dance Flamenco, There is no need to talk much about it. About North, as I am from North, it is hard to say it. But it’s rather closely related to passion of business and study.
4. If we look as Spanish fiestas, some of them seem to be very dangerous like los sanfermines, tomatina, etc. Why do people enjoy these festivals even though they are so dangerous?
I think this can relate to passion. Spanish People’s National characters are very brave. Even in the past, Spanish people like to prove their courage. In this context, bullfighting was born. So as all these factors are mixed, I think it made possible to have different and unique but dangerous festivals created.
5. What is the biggest difference between Korean culture and Spanish Culture?
Yet, I don’t know what really is, but when I studied, this one I could say it clearly: Korea equals monoculture. Groupo (groupism). Spain is so different from region to region and it is pretty much personalized and individualized. Like I said in the lecture, East, West, North South they are all cross-cultures. Especially, north and south, they are chalk and cheese. Complicated, Spain uses different languages like Spanish, Catalán, and Basque languages while Koreans use only Korean.
The Korean Foundation is still making progress on delivering helpful exhibition and lectures regarding different countries and regions. For more information about these events, please visit www.kf.or.kr
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