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네이버 공유 카카오 공유 트위터 공유 페이스북 공유

Sharing of Feelings through Paintings

The South African Children’s Cultural Exchange Project was hosted by the South African Embassy in Korea at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center (July 3-7). The project served as an occasion to introduce South Africa to people in Korea by providing an opportunity for the children of Korea and South Africa to share their culture and everyday life with each other through the exchange of drawings.



Home of Scenic Beauty and Democracy
Two oceans come together, tracts of beach extend endlessly, imposing mountains loom in the background, a variety of wild life flourish amidst abundance of nature: This is South Africa. A diversified culture breathes vividly in South Africa, where the influences of Africa, Europe and Asia intersect in a unique medley. In addition, Nelson Mandela, a symbol of the country’s struggle to overcome apartheid, has played a central role in transforming South Africa into a modern-day democracy through his election as the nation’s first-ever black president. Named the host country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the extravaganza of soccer fans worldwide, this first for South Africa, and the African continent as well, is attracting international attention to South Africa.
The Korea Foundation extended support to the South African Children’s Cultural Exchange Project, which was co-hosted by the South African Embassy in Korea and the University of South Africa (UNISA). To introduce various aspects of South Africa, the project featured a variety of events, including an exhibition of about 100 children’s books and 21 illustrations of South Africa, special film screenings, and a workshop for Korean children.

Learning about South Africa
The most noteworthy activity of the South African Children’s Cultural Exchange Project involved the workshop sessions held at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center. With the participation of kindergarten and primary school students from Korea, the workshop sessions were held four times a day during the project period. The workshop participants gathered in a room where the drawings of South African students were displayed on the walls. These works, which sought to introduce South Africa to students in Korea, included depictions of such subjects as desert areas, lush forests, and a local school, with the kind of creativity that can only be expressed by young children.
The first part of the workshop included the viewing of a short ary on meerkats, the adorable creatures who have become a representative icon of Africa’s wild life. The Korean students were amazed by the social behavior of meerkat groups, who managed to survive in the barren desert, despite such perils as predators, sandstorms, and the intense heat. They also acquired information about South Africa from basic lessons taught by South African teachers. After learning about South Africa’s national flag, national flower, and wild life, they befriended the South African teachers with their enthusiast responses to quiz questions.
During the second part of the workshop, the Korean students were asked to illustrations about everyday life in Korea to help people in South Africa gain an understanding of Korea and its people. With their color pencils and crayons, the children had no trouble getting their imaginative ideas onto paper. The works included portrayals of people dressed in hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire, which featured in detail the multi-colored sleeves; the Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsam, the landmark of Seoul city; Rose of Sharon, Korea’s national flower; and a variety of everyday scenes, like chopsticks and spoons.
Neatly written messages along the borders conveyed various thoughts, including one that stated: “I hope to visit South Africa soon. You must come and visit Korea, too!" In fact, this message fully captured the essence of the South African Children’s Cultural Exchange Project. Overall, this endeavor served as a valuable opportunity to introduce a yet-unfamiliar South Africa to Korea and help the children of both countries to better understand each other.

Interview | S.Y. Chung Staff Member, South African Embassy in Korea

Co-hosted by the South African Embassy in Korea and the University of South Africa, the South African Children’s Cultural Exchange Project provided an introduction of South Africa and an opportunity to broaden the horizon and open a new world for Korean children. It also served as an opportunity for young students to think about things unique to their own country, which they were proud to share with others.

Especially, the project was intended to promote cultural exchange through
the drawings by children, because drawing is an effective means for young students to creatively express their thoughts. Moreover, drawing also provides a unique insight into the minds of children. During the drawing session, the children were also invited to sing the national anthem and their school songs, which truly delighted the teachers from South Africa, who commented that their students were too reserved to sing in front of people, in an impromptu manner. Indeed, it was heartwarming to see the Korean students, so naturally and zealously, sing the national anthem and school songs.

In Korea, at the mention of “Africa,” many might have images of people living in poverty and struggling to survive.
As for the continent of Africa, South Africa could be said to be an exception, in several regards. South Africa is home to wondrous scenic beauty and a vibrant culture that must be seen to be properly appreciated.
As such, the vast potential and abundant resources of South Africa make it an ideal partner country for Korea.

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