Songpa link celebrations
The 10th anniversary of Christchurch’s sister city relationship with Songpa-gu, South Korea, will be celebrated from 17-20 November.
A highlight of the celebrations will be the Alchemy of Daily Life exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery (see story at here), which has been in the planning for almost five years. This is the first Korean contemporary art exhibition to come to New Zealand. The 26 sculptures include one of furniture made from noodles. They are from Korea’s National Museum of Contemporary Art and will be on show from 18 November to 26 February. The official opening on 17 November will be attended by Ambassador to New Zealand Jung-Seung Shin.
On 18 November Mayor Garry Moore will host a civic dinner for the Songpa delegation led by Vice Mayor Chang Soo Ghil.
On Saturday, 19 November, the Korean Society of Christchurch will hold a Korean Market in Cathedral Square from 11am-2pm, in conjunction with the usual Cathedral Square market.
The Korean flavour will include unique items and food. The entertainment starts at midday. A highlight will be the Hanbyeok Performance Group’s music and dance. It promises to showcase the country’s 5000-year-old cultural legacy. Korean Kiwi students will also perform.
The Hanbyeok troupe (pictured below) of 13 from Jeonju will also perform on the evening of 19 November at Burnside High School’s Aurora Centre at 6.30pm (tickets available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or at the door).
Songpa-gu, one of Seoul’s 25 autonomous wards, has a population of around 670,000 and was the site of the 1988 Olympic Games. Aranui High School, Merrin Primary School and Chisnallwood Intermediate have sister schools in Songpa-gu and undertake regular exchanges.
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