Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 7, 2016:  The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UAE hosted Korea Festival 2016 on Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi, in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation - Abu Dhabi. 

The Festival featured a range of engaging Korean cultural activities and culinary specialties, catering to the growing interests of the UAE residents, mainly young generation, in Korea and the country’s cultural values. 

The key attraction of the Festival was the display of globally popular Korean herb Red Ginseng by the aT Center (Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation). Considered the most effective form of ginseng available, the Korean Red Ginseng has wide-ranging health-promoting effects on the human body. 

Showing the Korean culture more vibrantly, the festival this year began at the National Theatre on October 28; continued at the Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach the next weekend (November 3 to 4); and will conclude in Al Ain the coming weekend. 

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Park Kang-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in the UAE, said, “We are excited to organise the Korea Festival 2016 in such a massive scale this year. The objective of the Festival is to treat the residents of the UAE with a glimpse of Korean culture. We are grateful to the UAE Government for supporting our efforts to bring Korean products and cultural elements closer to the UAE.”

“The Korean Embassy in the UAE has been instrumental in educating people in the UAE about various offerings from Korea.  With the Korea Festival 2016, we initiate some strong steps to educate the UAE residents about the unique Korean cultural elements and amazing Korean culinary specialties. The number of Emirati citizens visiting Korea for tour and medical treatments are increasing,” added.  

Mr. Myung-Gu Seo, Director General of Korea Agro-Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, said, “We are happy to be part of an event that brings Korean products to the residents of the UAE. The interest has been overwhelming from all communities and we are happy to bring the products here. Besides the huge Korean population in the UAE, we have seen an increased interest from other nationalities. Being a melting pot of different cultures from around the world, the UAE is an ideal market for products from our country.” 

“This year, we are keen on bringing attention of the visitors to the popular Korean herb Red Ginseng. Our purpose is to educate the participants on the benefits of using Korean Red Ginseng. At the festival, we focus on the magic root Red Ginseng, which is known to be the most potent of all Ginsengs and its health benefits are immeasurable. Experts from the aT Center stall educated visitors on the benefits of using the herb. Every Korean citizen is a strong advocate of the Red Ginseng as they understand the goodness and benefits of the root brings to their life,” he added. 
 
Visitors at the Festival were provided with opportunity to taste Korean Red Ginseng drinks and explore more about it. The Festival also set up booths for people to taste Korean food, further featuring renowned Chef Jaehak Lee from Intercontinental Abu Dhabi who conducted a Master Cooking Class showing how to prepare the perfect Kimchi. 

A key attraction of the festival was K-Dance featuring different Korean dance forms including a performance by contemporary Korean dance group Goblin Party, and “The Lion Dance”, traditional Korean dance which is a popular style where one or more dancers put on a giant costume and perform. 

Korean B-Boy band performed the marionette, interpretation of an international dance form. SE:UM, a world music group and one of Korea’s most innovative ensembles showcased a one-of-a-kind music performance drawing instrumental, vocal and improvisation techniques from both Korean and Western jazz traditions. 

Apart from the music and dance programmes, Korea Festival also screened Korean movies for the public, and animation films for kids; in addition to K-Drama, a giant screen that kept playing Korean TV dramas back to back; and VR Games to engage people, and booths with traditional Korean games like Tuho and Yut Nori for kids to discover and play.