Arab Festival bridges cultures

Not much is known about the Arab world in this region except that it supplies the energy Korea needs to fuel the nation and that it has problems with terrorism.

But the Arab world is much greater than black gold; it is a world full of rich and diverse communities, groups and cultures.

To view a small glimpse of these cultures, the Korea-Arab Society, the Foreign Ministry and 14 Arab missions in Korea are holding the Arab Cultural Festival from June 2-5 at the COEX center in southern Seoul.

The Sareyyet Ramallah Troupe for Music and Dance will entertain the crowd through their modern interpretation of their folkloric heritage.

To highlight the exquisite and delicate beauty of Arabic fashions, the Oman Embassy will be holding a fashion show.

The Arab fashion industry is a fast emerging global business that is steadily influencing European street fashion.

Aside from the abaya, keffiyeh and hijab, today’s young fashion designers from the Arab world are not only decorating their creations with pearls, crystal beads, satin flowers, embroidery, and other colorful adornments, but they are also introducing new styles, fabrics, and colors to Islamic dresses.

The Oman Embassy has also organized a photo exhibition displaying the country’s attractive tourist destinations.

For those that do not have time to hop on a plane and experience any of the Arab countries’ rich offerings, the embassies have set up an art and culture exhibition where handcrafts, household items and other knickknacks can be viewed and appreciated for their delicate beauty.

The Arab embassies will also offer tourism information for the curious and those looking for a vacation of a lifetime.

There is also an experience zone where visitors can taste the varied flavors from the 14 Arabic countries in Seoul.

There will be desserts such as bucklelana and mugasqrat made by a Syrian chef.

At the same time, traditional Arab beverages will be served.

The idea is to offer a taste of foods that are unique and exotic made with traditional recipes.

Best of all, they are free of charge.

There will also be an Arab Costume Experience zone where visitors can don on costumes from different Arabic countries.

There is a difference in degrees of color as well as styles according to each region.

Korea’s high-tech digital technology will meet Arab art and culture at the Digital Arab zone.

Through the use of digital media art, the beauty of the Arabic language, characters and patterns will become more vibrant.

The exhibition will offer a chance to learn and experience Arabic languages as well as media art through such events like a fun and easy quiz on Arab culture, handwritten Arabic calligraphy and Arab costumed magnet dolls.

The Korea-Arab Society is a non-profit organization established and partly run by the Korean government to promote bilateral cooperation on a wide range of areas between Korea and the Arab world.

Visit www.korea-arab.org for more information.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)