An unforgettable experience with the "RefKA" program to promote Korean culture in Algeria
2025-02-10As a person who is passionate about Korean culture, my experience as a member of “RefKA (Digital Supporters of Korean Culture in Algeria)” was one of the most important milestones in my life. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to directly interact with this rich and diverse culture, in addition to my contribution to strengthening cultural relations between Algeria and Korea through my active participation in all the program’s activities and creating digital content through my official accounts on social media, which made it a valuable experience in my personal and professional career. In this article, I will share with you my personal experience in the program and the positive impact the program has had on my personal and professional life.
Opening Ceremony:
The beginning was with the opening ceremony that was organized on Sunday, May 26, where we were invited to lunch with His Excellency the Korean Ambassador "Yoo Ki-jun" at the Korean Embassy in Algeria, where we discussed a group of topics of interest to both Korea and Algeria, including culture, economy and education, and in the end he praised our role as digital supporters of Korean culture in Algeria.
After lunch, His Excellency the Ambassador presented us with certificates of appointment, then we attended an educational session with the person in charge of the program where we talked more about the upcoming events and in the end she presented us with beautiful souvenirs.
Korean Cooking Class:
On July 31st, we were invited to experience Korean culture at the embassy, starting with a Korean cooking class, which was a great opportunity to discover traditional Korean cuisine by learning how to prepare the most famous dishes, kimbap and tteokbokki, under the supervision of the chef in charge of the embassy kitchen. The class began with a full explanation of the ingredients of the two dishes, providing precise advice on the techniques and methods used to prepare them. After that, we tried cooking ourselves, as all members participated in preparing the dishes, and in the end we enjoyed the diverse flavors of both kimbap, which is rich in vegetables and fruits, and tteokbokki, which is distinguished by its spicy flavors.
Exploring the traditional Korean painting "Minhwa":
On the same day, July 31, we had the opportunity to experience traditional Korean painting for the first time, which is characterized by its spontaneous style and bright colors, and reflects the cultural values and beliefs of Korea in the past. After distributing the necessary tools, we started preparing various paintings that express the Korean and Algerian cultures. I prepared a painting entitled "Happy Cat in Korean Paradise" and in place of the cat, I tried to draw a fennec, which is a symbol of Algerian culture. It was displayed at the Korean Cultural Week in Algeria in 2024.
Korean Calligraphy Class:
In August, a special Korean calligraphy class was organized, where RefKA members had the opportunity to write verses of poetry in Korean, along with phrases or words in Korean and Arabic, which were displayed during the previous edition of the cultural week. As part of the activity, we were presented with a valuable gift, which was the book “Sky, Wind, Stars and Poems”, one of the most famous collections of poems by the famous Korean poet “Yun Dong-ju”, as this collection includes poems that express his deep thoughts and feelings about life, nature and his own identity. The gift also included postcards, a book for practicing calligraphy, pen and pencils.
Participation in organizing the 9th edition of the Korean Cultural Week in Algeria:
As part of the program, I participated in organizing the cultural week that was organized in October, through my participation in an art exhibition within the Friendship Caravan between Korea and Arab countries, where we displayed the paintings that we prepared during the program’s workshops, where we had the opportunity to share them with the audience and receive positive comments.
In addition, I participated in managing both the final of the Korean Speech Competition and the K-Pop Festival, where I worked with the embassy team in an organized manner to ensure that the events ran smoothly, starting from organizing and coordinating the entry of participants and attendees, to presenting gifts. This contributed to providing a unique experience for everyone.
Korea Foundation Day Celebration at the Korean Embassy:
One of the most memorable experiences for me during the program was attending the Korea Foundation Day Celebration at the Korean Embassy in Algeria on October 10. The celebration featured a wonderful blend of Korean tradition and modernity, with many traditional cultural performances such as the “Samollori” show and the modern B-boy band “Expression Crew”.
In addition, I enjoyed tasting a variety of traditional Korean dishes, and the embassy workers added a special touch to the celebration by wearing Hanbok, showcasing the beauty and elegance of this traditional costume through different and varied designs. The celebration was attended by many prominent figures from different Korean and foreign communities in Algeria, which allowed me to communicate with people from different nationalities. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the celebration very much.
Closing Ceremony of the Program:
What better way to end an exceptional program than with a special ceremony, which was held on December 4th. The ceremony was held at the Ralf Hotel in Algiers, which was a celebration of our achievements over the past six months of supporting Korean culture in Algeria. His Excellency Ambassador You Ki-jun opened the ceremony with encouraging words, followed by a presentation from each member, where we presented our personal experiences and proposals for developing the program in future editions. Perhaps the most beautiful memory is when I received a certificate of appreciation from His Excellency the Ambassador, which was a proud moment for me, then we exchanged ideas over lunch.
The RefKA program was a valuable opportunity for me to develop many professional and personal skills, starting with improving and developing my skills in content creation, writing, communication, in addition to expanding my network of relationships, and perhaps the most important thing is strengthening my love and passion for Korea and Korean culture. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Korean Embassy in Algeria for giving us this great opportunity.
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