한국국제교류재단

New Year’s Greetings from ASEAN Culture House

The year of the black tiger, 2022, has arrived. COVID-19 has changed our lives on a fundamental level, and the world is dreaming of returning to normal daily routines. Despite the trials caused by the pandemic, the ASEAN Culture House has continued to offer various online and offline events since the earliest days of this crisis, thereby helping Koreans and foreign residents to overcome the “corona blues” and safely enjoy Southeast Asian culture.

One of the most notable changes in 2021 was the reorganization of our Permanent Exhibition Gallery under the new theme, ASEAN Storyteller: Spiritual Beliefs, Arts & Life. Our second permanent exhibition presents Southeast Asian religions, arts, and life through digital media. Our online offering of ASEAN x Sinawi, a traditional Korean arrangement of the traditional music of the 10 ASEAN countries, was very well-received, at 128,000 views. The ASEAN Market, our ASEAN Cooking Class, and online ASEAN languages classes were also successful and well-attended? all while abiding by the Korean government’s social distancing rules and COVID-19 preventative measures.

In 2022, we will celebrate the ACH’s fifth anniversary, and we will continue the process of going digital. In the near future, visitors will be able to experience Southeast Asian culture in new ways through digital media devices. To enhance the Korean public’s understanding of this fascinating region, we will be launching educational content on various aspects of ASEAN. Furthermore, our website will be regularly updated and modified to offer a comprehensive set of digital content on ASEAN, including the latest regional trends, local information, advice on contactless travel, and articles by experts in a wide range of fields.

We are grateful for the enthusiasm that many have shown for the ACH’s activities over the years. May everyone be blessed with health and happiness in the new year. We look forward to welcoming both ardent supporters and new friends to the ASEAN Culture House.

Park Mi-Sook Director-General of the ASEAN Culture House