South Korean university marks 50 years of Persian studies
Iran held a cultural week at South Korea’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies from November 9 to 13.
The week marks five decades of Persian language education and Iranian studies at the university through a series of literary, academic and cultural events.
The program in Seoul, South Korea’s capital, brought together Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Erfanian, university officials, professors, students and alumni.
Erfanian praised faculty members and students for promoting Persian in South Korea, saying language education and cultural studies helped deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the two nations.
Events included a Persian-language speech contest, a translation competition, meetings with graduates and an alumni gathering for the university’s Persian language and Iranian studies department.
Students spoke about their motivation for learning Persian and their interest in Iranian literature and culture.
The closing ceremony took place on November 13 at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul.
Speakers included the head of the Persian language and Iranian studies department, the alumni association president, the head of the Korea-Iran Council and a representative of South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
A video message from South Korean Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo was also shown.
Three students were recognized for their translation work. An exhibition of handicrafts and events showcasing Iranian culture and cuisine were also held on the sidelines.
The university’s Persian language and Iranian studies department was established in 1976.
Over the past five decades, it has trained graduates and promoted knowledge of Iran’s language, literature and culture in South Korea.
The cultural week was organized by the department and the university’s alumni association, with support from South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, the Iranian Embassy, the Korea-Iran Research Center, the Korean Association of Iranian Studies and the Center for Critical Foreign Languages Education (CFL).