Korean Festival to entertain Aucklanders this October

Korean Festival to entertain Aucklanders this October

Auckland: 13 September: This October will see Auckland become a Korean cultural playground, with the announcement of the Korean Festival. Five free events will be taking place across Auckland as a celebration of the best Korean food, music, art and film.

Highlights of the month include; K-Food cooking classes with well known chefs, Karena and Kasey Bird, Winners of 2014 Master Chef New Zealand. Karena and Kasey will be joined by Jason Kim from Cassia and Martin Harrap from SkyCity. Enjoy the Korean pop music phenomenon, K-Pop, at an Auckland University contest, while movie fans can rejoice, with five days of free Korean movies at the Academy Cinemas.

Korea and New Zealand have been enjoying strong friendship, stretching back to the Korean war in the 1950s. Korea currently ranks as the sixth largest New Zealand export and New Zealand is popular with Korean tourists, who are the country’s seventh largest group of overseas visitors.

Consul General, Chang soon Cha, at the Korean Consulate in Auckland says, “Korea and New Zealand have been working closely together for over 60 years, and this December sees the first anniversary of our Free Trade Agreement. To celebrate this, we want to create a series of free events, that would introduce New Zealand to a vibrant and dynamic aspect of Korean culture.”

The event will kick off with the Talent of Korea Gala Concert on the 4th October, with the best of Korean talent, including a B-boy crew, the Dohnanyi Piano Quintet from the University of Auckland School of Music, and a special performance by pianist, Jane Sohn, who will be joined by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra. Master Ottchil artist, Sungsoo Kim, will also be bringing his traditional Korean art to the Gus Fisher Art Gallery. Sungsoo is knowledgeable in the Mother of Pearl lacquer ware finish and wood work process, Ottchil, and developed his own techniques with the unconventional use of materials.

Consul General, Cha, continued, “There is no better time to experience something new at this year’s Korean Festival. We have lots of events to suit everyone. Try signature Korean foods, experience Korean music and art. You will love it!”

The Korean Festival takes place during the whole month of October, 2016. To see the full list of events, visit nzl-auckland.mofa.go.kr or www.facebook.com/rokconsulateakl.

*Programmes are subject to change.
*Some events have limited space and some are for pre-registered guests only. Please check the full details of each programme at nzl-auckland.mofa.go.kr.

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