At Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul

Mrs. Chafika Derragui, spouse of the ambassador of Algeria in Seoul, hosted an impressive cultural event at the Natural History Museum of Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul on Nov. 10, 2015 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Algeria.

The event consisted of a fashion parade of a good number of beautiful traditional Algerian costumes, a concert of traditional songs of Algeria, exhibition of Algerian paintings and pottery works plus a dinner of traditional Algerian delicacies, pottery works, high-quality Hanbok Korean costumes.
Speaking at the Algerian Cultural Evening, Mrs. Derragui said, “During this celebration, I want to take this occasion to introduce to you some of Algerian culture, music and arts through paintings and ceramic artworks of three well known Algerian artists, samples of classical music played by an ensemble of Andalousian music who came from Algeria especially for this occasion and presentation of traditional costumes.”

Then she said, “I won’t take too much of your time in explaining in detail the characteristics of thesesmall samples of Algerian culture, but you may get acquainted to through the program and the brief presentation of the artists, which are made available to you.”
Most of the guests were ladies, including the lady ambassador of Austria and the spouses of the ambassadors in Seoul as well as the members of the faculty of Sookmyung Women’s University.

The spouses of the ambassadors included the wives of the ambassadors in Seoul representing Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Japan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Papula New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leon, Spain and many other countries.

From the Korean side came, Dr. Hwang Sun-Hye (president of Sookmyung Women’s University), Dr. Chang Yun-Geum (director of the Institute of Leadership & General Education of Sookmyung Women’s University) and Director Kang Byung-kil of the Museum of Sookmyung Women’s University).
Mrs. Derragui’s welcome address was followed by a congratulatory speech by President Hwang Sun-Hye of Sookmyung Women’s University.

She said “Today I am so pleased to hold the 'Algerian Cultural Day' at our University. On behalf of the entire Sookmyung Community, I would like to welcome all of you. As Korea becomes more global, its relations with Africa are getting wider and deeper in many sectors of our society.” (See excerpts at the end of this Article.)

Excerpts from the speech of Mrs. Derragui follow:
Dear friends, spouses of the ambassadors, dear professors, dear ladies and guests, good afternoon and welcome!
At the start, I would like first to introduce myself for those whom I have not yet had the privilege to meet. I am Chafika Derragui, spouse of the ambassador of Algeria and I am happy to live a new experience here in Korea.

Since I arrived in this beautiful country in last March 2015, I have noticed how much Korean people are so welcoming, so kind and so proud of the great accomplishments this country has realized in a very short time.

Allow me to say to all of you, how much I am honored by your presence and I thank you very much for accepting my humble invitation to share this double celebration of the 61st anniversary of the Algerian revolution and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Algeria and Korea.

I also express my special thanks to Mrs. Hwang Sun-Hye, president of Sookmyung Women’s University, for her great support and having so kindly made available for this event at this beautiful museum, to its Director Mr. Kang Byung-kil, and to Dr. Chang Yun-Keum for her kindness and precious help and assistance extended to me in organizing this get together.

I express also my gratitude to my dear friend, Mrs. Amel Chra?bi, spouse of the ambassador of Morocco who introduced to me Dr. Chang and who was so present and so helpful to me since I arrived in Seoul 8 months ago.
During this celebration, I want to take this occasion to introduce to you some of Algerian culture, music and arts through paintings and ceramic artworks of three well known Algerian artists, samples of classical music played by an ensemble of Andalousian music who came from Algeria especially for this occasion and presentation of traditional costumes.

I won’t take too much of your time in explaining in detail the characteristics of these small samples of Algerian culture, but you may get acquainted to, through the program and the brief presentation of the artists, which are made available to you.
Of course it is also an occasion for you to taste some samples of the Algerian cuisine and sweets.
I wish you all good time and hope you will enjoy this moment we are sharing together especially as we are celebrating together this very happy occasion of establishment of official relations between Algeria and Korea.

Finally, I would like to thank again the president of Sookmyung Women’s University, Dr. Choi Sung-Sook, Director of Mushin Museum and Dr. Chang Yunkeum and the students of the University who participated to the show of Algerian traditional dresses for their kindness and support.
Also to our sponsors, Mr. Rabrab Omar, CEO of Hyundai Motor Algerie and Cevital, Mrs. Kim Jeong-Hwa (president of JS Cooperation) and President Choi Jin-Sang of Kunhwa E&C. I express many special thanks to the Algerian diplomats and their spouses and the staffs of the Embassy for their valuable contribution to the success of this event.

I will end by wishing, “Long live the Algerian-Korean friendship!”

Excerpts from the speech of President of Sookmyung Women's University:
Mrs. Chafika Derragui, wife of the ambassador of Algeria in Seoul, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Today I am so pleased to hold the "Algerian Cultural Day" at our University. On behalf of the entire Sookmyung Community, I would like to welcome all of you.

As Korea becomes more global, its relations with Africa are getting wider and deeper in many sectors of our society.
Especially, Algeria is an important partner of Korea among African nations. It has been 25 years since Korea established diplomatic ties with Algeria.
Sookmyung University has been active in expanding its global reach through numerous sisterhood relationships with foreign educational institutions. So, many student and faculty exchange programs are actively progressed right now. Of course, Algeria is a very important partner in Sookmyung’s global efforts as well.

I hope that today’s "Algerian Cultural Day" will also be an opportunity to build a strong relationship between Sookmyung and Algeria.
Once again I welcome you to Sookmyung today and wish everyone a wonderful time.

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