As previously reported, this year marks the 85th anniversary of the Korean diaspora living in Uzbekistan, and 30 years since the establishment of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan.

By the order of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan, organized several events.

A flower-laying ceremony was held at the bas-relief installed in Friendship Park in Tashkent in gratitude from the Korean people to the benevolent Uzbek people.

A group of employees of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries under the Cabinet of Ministers, a delegation of the Republic of Korea, guests from various foreign countries, activists of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan laid wreaths at the bas-relief.

The outlook, customs of the Uzbek and Korean peoples are similar. Both countries supported each other in the most difficult times. More than 180 thousand Korean diasporas living today in Uzbekistan have become an integral part of the country’s multinational people. Branches of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers operate in the regions. The Association is actively working to preserve and develop the Korean language, culture, customs and traditions in Uzbekistan and abroad.

In 2017, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Korean people living in Uzbekistan, a memorial monument was opened in Friendship Park in Tashkent. One of the central streets of Tashkent was named Seoul. The House of Korean Culture was built in Tashkent with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea to preserve and develop the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Korean people.

A solemn event dedicated to the anniversary date was held in Tashkent’s Friendship of Peoples Palace. The exhibition “Friendship of peoples – the wealth of states” was organized.

The concert program “Uzbekistan – Homeland of all peoples” was organized in the palace.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva sent a video message to the participants on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan. It was noted that the past and present of the Uzbek and Korean peoples are inextricably linked by strong ties. There are thousands of examples of cooperation in all areas at different stages of history, which allows our people to successfully follow the chosen path.

A video message was also sent by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Park Jin on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan. In their greetings, they thanked the Government of Uzbekistan for their assistance in organizing such events and highly appreciated the state policy pursued in Uzbekistan in interethnic relations.

Chairman of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan Victor Pak expressed deep gratitude for the attention paid to the Government of Uzbekistan in holding anniversary events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Association. He especially thanked President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the attention paid to the sphere of interethnic relations in Uzbekistan in recent years.

At the festive concert, well-known artists from Uzbekistan and South Korea, amateur groups from national cultural centers performed songs and dances of different nations. There is no doubt that the ongoing activities will serve to strengthen and develop interethnic harmony, friendship and peace in Uzbekistan.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA