Following the opening of the Korean Film Festival in Turkmenistan today the Days of Korean Culture started on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries which is celebrated this year. At present, Turkmen-Korean cooperation is successfully developing in the context of the open door policy being pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Speaking at the ceremony on the significant occasion, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan Sungchul Shin emphasized the importance of this large-scale cultural event, aimed at strengthening trust and mutual understanding between our peoples.

The program of the three-day film screening, organized at the “Ashgabat” Cinema in the capital includes full-length feature films produced by Korean filmmakers in recent years.

These are the films “Samjin English Courses” and “Bori”, which became popular immediately after the release, and are intended for a wide audience, including children and youth.

It is noteworthy that already on the first day, the Korean Film Festival, to which everyone is invited, gathered a full hall of spectators, including students of the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, who learn Korean, as well as a large number of residents and guests of the Turkmen capital, who wished to be immersed in the atmosphere of everyday life of the citizens of the Land of the Morning Calm, and share their thoughts and experiences.

In addition, as part of the Days of Korean Culture, the National Music and Drama Theater named after Magtymguly will host on November 11 a presentation and tasting of popular dishes of the national Korean cuisine, and a show of the traditional costume hanbok to be followed by a joint concert of the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan and the Korean Quartet “Gugak”, whose musicians specialize in fusion trend combining several musical styles.

All events are organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Turkmenistan with the support from the Ministries of Culture and Education of Turkmenistan, as well as the Ashgabat City Khyakimlik.

The very fact of holding the current cultural event is a striking illustration of a qualitatively new level of a constructive dialogue established in recent years between the two friendly countries, their mutual desire to establish closer ties in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

Favorable conditions for the progressive development of bilateral partnership, built on a long-term and mutually beneficial basis, are created by the activities of the Turkmen-Korean Business Council and the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, established on the initiative of the Turkmen party.

An example of the success of such a tandem is the fruitful work in the Turkmen market of leading Korean companies, jointly with which a number of important projects have already been carried out, including the construction of a natural gas desulfurization plant at the Galkynysh field, the modernization of the Turkmenbashy complex of Oil Refineries, the construction of a gas chemical complex for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene in the village of Kiyanly, Balkan Velayat. A significant part of the public transport fleet of our country consists of Korean-made buses and cars.

However, as practice shows, the growing dynamics of Turkmen-Korean relations is based not only on the economic interests of the two states, but also on a deep understanding of the role of spiritual and moral values in development of the nation. Therefore, despite the geographical remoteness, we find a common language and reach mutual understanding.

The Korean language and the ancient original culture of the Korean people are highly respected in Turkmenistan. Thus, a special department operates at the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, where specialists in the Korean language and literature are trained.

The Days of Korean Culture, which included acquaintance with modern music and cinema of the friendly people, their richest traditions and customs, once again confirmed the existing interest in studying each other’s cultural heritage, as well as the importance of expanding humanitarian contacts to further strengthen interstate relations.