Korean Cultural Centre Opens its Doors in Spainish Capital

Six decades that's the amount of time it took this Korean Cultural Center to open in Spain.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Korean cultural center took place in the Spanish capital Madrid on Friday 61 years after the two countries established diplomatic ties.

[Interview : Choung Byoung-gug, Minister Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism] "Although it may seem a bit late, I am proud to open a Korean Cultural Centre in the heart of Spain. The centre will be a bridge connecting the two countries, as it will not only promote Korean culture to Spain, but it will also serve to introduce the Spanish culture to Korea.

More than 4-hundred people came to celebrate the opening of the 18th Korean Cultural Centre, and the visitors were invited to experience Korea to the maximum tasting traditional Korean cuisine and enjoying the country's traditional dance and music.
The centre is believed to serve as a stronghold for promoting Korean culture.

[Interview : Lee In-cheol, Korean resident] "With the opening of the centre, it will be much easier to promote Korean culture, since many local people will be able to experience Korea when they visit this centre".

The first floor of the centre is an exhibition hall for traditional Korean arts, while the second floor is equipped with a library and the third a lecture hall for classes on Korea.
It is also filled with shelves of most up-to-date Korean movies and CDs, which will soon be made available for rentals.

[Interview : Martha Caballero, Student] "

The Korean Cultural Centre will offer Korean language classes as well as lessons on Korean traditional music.
And every Friday, it plans to hold Korean movie nights as well as Korean art exhibitions.

[Reporter : Hwang Sung-hee, Madrid, Spain [email protected]] "Even after 61 years of diplomatic ties, Korea and Spain did not have much cultural exchanges. However, the two countries hope that the opening of the Korean cultural center will mark a new beginning in their friendship.
Hwang Sung-hee, Arirang News, Madrid".