By UN Journal Kayla Lee Praying for the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the ‘Concert of Love’ commemorating the 78th anniversary of the establishment of Jamwon-dong Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul will be held on the evening of November 15 in the main sanctuary. This concert will be open to all, featuring free admission and open seating, designed as an inclusive festival for both parishioners and local residents. Amidst the gentle melodies enveloping late autumn, the parish community will share a time of faith filled with hope and love. Ahead of the 2027
By UN Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Every night, a giant diamond shines in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. It is the National Library of Belarus. Founded in 1922, the library was reborn in 2006 with a new, modern building, transforming it into a multi-cultural space where knowledge and art coexist. Designed by architects Viktor Kramarenko and Mikhail Vinogradov, the library is a 23-story polyhedron with a unique shape known as a "rhombicuboctahedron." This symbolizes a "jewel embodying knowledge." The glass exterior sparkles in the sunlight during the day, and at night, over 4,600 LE
By UN Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Minsk, Belarus -- On October 30, 2025, the invitational exhibition "Minwha: Искусство Кореи (Korean Beauty, K-Folk Painting)" opened with great fanfare at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, located in the heart of Minsk, Belarus. This exhibition was co-hosted and sponsored by the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee (Chairman Lee Jong-young), the Belarusian Ministry of Culture, the Belarusian Embassy in Korea, and Diplomacy Journal. Admission is free and open to the public until November 16. This event, a significant sy
By UN Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Minsk, Belarus -- A masterclass on traditional (K-Minwha) Korean folk painting was held ahead of the opening of the exhibition "K-Folk Painting: The Art of Korea" at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, located in the heart of Minsk, Belarus. This program, a special opportunity to experience traditional Korean painting, Minhwa, firsthand, was well-received by approximately 30 local art enthusiasts and citizens. Participants experienced the colors and meaning of K-folk painting through hands-on practice painting traditional Korean fa
By UN Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Nesvizh, the ancient capital of Belarus, is called the heart of Eastern European culture. At its heart stands the Nesvizh Palace, embodying the glory and spirit of the Radziwill family. This place is considered a culmination of human culture, a place where knowledge, art, and faith have intertwined for centuries. This palace, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, is now a museum and cradle of art, symbolizing the intersection of Belarusian identity and European civilization. The history of Nesvizh is synonymous with the history of the R
By UN Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah A crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Located in the heart of Belarus, Mir Castle exudes a beauty reminiscent of a medieval legend. With its red bricks, white decorations, and five majestic towers, its majestic and elegant appearance resembles a historical painting. This is not just a building; it is a symbol of Belarus and a treasure trove of human culture, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traveling back in time, Mir Castle lives on today as a symbol of "peace" and "harmony." A fortre
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young The traditions of Korea, the easternmost tip, are blossoming in Minsk, Belarus, the heart of Eastern Europe. The "World's First K-Folk Painting Exhibition," held from October 30 to November 16, is the first overseas special exhibition of Korean folk painting, officially invited by the National Museum of Folk Art of Belarus. This exhibition, co-hosted by the World Culture Promotion Foundation and the Diplomacy Journal, features 52 Korean folk painting artists, opening a forum for cultural diplomacy where tradition and modernity, East and West, converge. Under the the
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young Tigers in Joseon Dynasty folk paintings always bore two faces. The majesty of the mountain's lord and the face of a friend who brings laughter to the people. “The tiger of Byeoksachobok (辟邪招福)” painting perfectly harmonizes these two faces. Even within its round, humorous eyes, a living energy flashes in every stroke. These lines are not mere decoration; they are the lines of a spell to repel evil spirits and invite good fortune. It is the very talisman of folk painting. On the right side of the painting, the four characters ‘Byeoksachobok (辟邪招福)’ are clearly inscri
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo From September 20 to 28, Nami Island in Gangwon-do hosted the “Peru Week”, a cultural event featuring a variety of activities celebrating Peruvian heritage and traditions. The program was designed for both Korean and international visitors of all ages, in coordination with the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea. The weeklong celebration offered visitors a chance to experience Peru’s cultural and natural heritage, featuring art exhibitions, music and dance performances, and hands-on activities. It drew thousands of Korean and international tourists who flock to N
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Tajikistan took center stage in a series of major cultural events across the Republic of Korea, underscoring the deepening partnership between Central Asia and Korea. The events, held in collaboration with the Korea Foundation, the Asian Cultural Center (ACC), and the Central Asia-Korea Friendship Association, featured celebrated Tajik art, fashion, and music. The celebrations kicked off on September 30, 2025, in Seoul with the 7th Central Asian-Republic of Korea Friendship Day. A highlight of the day was a stunning fashion show presenting Tajikistan's national costum
By UN Journal Kayla Lee As part of the celebration of the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Day, a traditional fashion show highlighted the cultural diversity and rich creative traditions of the countries of the region and Korea on Sept. 30, 2025. The event was organized by the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Association. The ceremony was attended by President of the Association Lee Ok Ryun, President of the Asian Cultural Center Kim Sangug, diplomats of Central Asian countries, representatives of the business community, and creative groups. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov und
By UN Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), hosted the Visiting Korea Book Fair in New York on September 4 to 5 at the NTC NYC Seminar & Conference Center. Launched in 2015, the Visiting Korea Book Fair supports Korean publishers to expand abroad and delivered approximately USD 10.25 million in potential contracts via a total of 609 consultation sessions across three countries in 2024. Coming on the back of this year’s earlier series in Prague (Czech Republic), Warsaw (Poland), and Ta
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Company announced the opening of Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven, the inaugural exhibition of the Hyundai Translocal Series on Sept. 3. The exhibition is co-organized by the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 (Cheongju, Korea) and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester (Manchester, UK) in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (New Delhi, India). It opened as part of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 on September 4 and runs through November 2, 2025. This exhibition is the first presentation of the Hyundai Transl
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young K-Folk Painting (Minwha) is not merely an old painting. It is a living art imbued with the hopes, lives, humor, and wisdom of Koreans, and today it has become a vital pillar of K-culture spreading globally. Recently, K- Folk Painting has formed a massive cultural ecosystem domestically, with a population of over 200,000 artists, enthusiasts, and students. This goes beyond simple painting, connecting to education, publishing, merchandise, and tourism industries, becoming a foundation for creating boundless added value. The response overseas is particularly astonishin
By UN Journal Kayla Lee The 28th World Peace Art Exhibition Awards Ceremony was held at the Korea Gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul on August 6, 2025. About 620 artists from 21 countries participated in the event, submitting approximately 1,200 works. About 800 of these works were exhibited. The ceremony concluded successfully with approximately 200 distinguished guests in attendance. Attendees at the ceremony included Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador of the Embassy of Kazakhstan, Fazliddin Arziev, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Uzbekistan, Consul Eugene Redko of the Embassy of Belarus, and Rita