[Jawaharlal Nehru University is hosting various events and festival for three days to mark Hangeul Day./ Photographed by Jeong In-seo]
By Jeong In-seo, New Delhi correspondent, AsiaToday - The Centre for Korean Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) located in New Delhi has kicked off its three-day festival to mark the 570th Hangeul Day at the Convention Center of the campus on Monday. Hangeul Day, or Hangeul Proclamation Day, is a public holiday celebrated in South Korea to celebrate the formation of the Korean alphabet.
On the first day, the CKS hosted a Korean essay contest and Hangeul Day ceremony as well as cultural events where JNU students and Korean students studying in India participated.
Participants of the Korean essay contest were students learning Korean language from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, Amity University, and Korean Cultural Centre India (KCC). The contest was divided into three levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The winner of the contest was Kumar from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
[The students from the Centre for Korean Studies perform Buchaechum, or Korean fan dance, during Hangeul Day festival./ Photographed by Jeong In-seo]
The Hangeul Day ceremony was attended by nearly 300 people, including Korean Ambassador to India Cho Hyun, KCC Director Kim Geum-pyong, and JNU Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar.
During the cultural events, Indian students performed Buchaechum, or Korean fan dance, and danced to K-pop while Korean students boasted their Bollywood dance moves. Then KCC Samulnori (Korean traditional percussion quartet) team's performance, Korean students' dance moves, taekwondo demonstration, India traditional dance, and play performance were held. Korean department students showcased excellent acting and accurate Korean pronunciation for Korean play, "The Fairy and the Woodcutter."
[Korean students from Busan University of Foreign Studies showcase Bollywood dance during Hangeul Day festival./ Photographed by Jeong In-seo]
Dr. Ravikesh Mishra, the head of the Centre for Korean Studies, said, "The Hangeul Day festival provides a great opportunity to promote Korean as well as Korean culture to students. We plan to expand more exchanges with other universities with Korean studies department."
[Students perform "The Fairy and the Woodcutter" during Hangeul Day festival./ Photographed by Jeong In-seo]