Ukrainian Week at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul Korea
Sogu Hong, PhD alumnus of the Ukrainian Folklore Program at the University of Alberta (U. of A.), has become the first Ukrainian professor in Korea. After finishing his doctoral dissertation on contemporary Ukrainian wedding traditions in Alberta, Dr. Hong now serves as Professor in the newly formed Ukrainian Department in Hankuk University for Foreign Studies, Seoul.
From Left to Right, First Row: Dr. Sogu Hong, Hankuk University; Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky, University of Alberta; Korean students in the Hankuk University Ukrainian Department
In order to celebrate his achievement, the Kule Folklore Centre, U. of A. in partnership with the University of Alberta International Department and the Ukrainian Pioneer's Association of Alberta donated 1000 books to help him establish a special Ukrainian library. Andriy Nahachewsky, Sogu's former supervisor and Director of the Kule Folklore Centre, traveled to Korea October 26th to join the festivities of Ukrainian Week there, and the official opening of the library.
The first and second year students, dressed in newly acquired Ukrainian clothing, sang three songs as part of the official ceremonies. Guests, including Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Volodymyr Belashov, attended the unveiling of a plaque for the Ukrainian Library and a beautiful photo exhibit of scenes from Ukrainian folklore and contemporary culture, created by Myeong-Jae Lee. The Dean of the College of Central and East European Studies, Dr. Mun Suh Lee, praised the energy and creativity shown by Dr. Hong and his staff, as the new department has achieved many milestones quickly. The students in the Ukrainian program demonstrated their knowledge of the language at the first Ukrainian speech competition.
Twenty students are accepted into the program each year, and graduates look forward to careers in international business, government, tourism, academics, and diplomacy.
Nahachewsky noted how Korea is among the East Asian leaders in engagement with Ukraine. He visited a folk museum and several historic sites during the trip, "It's great to see how the Korean people are proud of their culture, and interested in the culture of others as well." The Kule Folklore Centre and the University of Alberta are happy to have contributed to the growth of Ukrainian studies worldwide.