[AJA Global Report] Russia and Korea: 150 years together

150 years turned since voluntary settlement of Korean to Russia. <Photo=Newsis>

This year 130 years turned since establishing diplomatic relations between Russia and Korea and 150 years – since voluntary settlement of Korean to Russia.

Russia is multinational country (more than 200 nations are living together), but even though contribution of “Koryo saram” (self-designation of Russian Koreans) is remarkable; they won respect with hard working, peaceful personality and respect for elders. For example, in the USSR Koreans lead the country in the number of title “Hero of Socialist Labour” awarded (209 Koryo saram were awarded) and also they got the second place by the percent of people with high education.

Festive events dedicated to 150th anniversary are going everywhere. For example, in Korsakov – the place first Koreans moved to long time ago. As part of the project “Alive memory” a number of contests, festivals and concerts were held. Then the celebration would be continued in other cities and would be finished in the regional center – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
But not only is the Far East celebrating. Tomsk is also turned to be a part of this. Tomsk is a well-known multicultural city famous with its universities, located in the Southern part of Eastern Siberia. There are more than 1000 Koryo saram living there officially, so we should sum up a number of student came for good education.

Series of festivals will take place in Russia everywhere such as a traditional dance, concert and master class etc. <Photo=Stanislav Kim>

The series of Taekwondo master classes with the participation of South Korean martial artists and the series of business seminars concerning the phenomena of Korean economy with help of Korean top companies’ experts were held in April. Also instructors for South Korea and Kazakhstan conducted a number of different master classes in dancing and playing traditional instruments for people interested in Korean traditional culture. A big festival of Korean culture closed this part of celebrating: artists from Ulsan and Alma-Ata from Kazakhstan made a great performing of stage of Tomsk theatres. Also Tomsk cinemas showed a number of famous South Korean movies. The very last event will be held in September. It would be international conference on Korean diaspora issues: students and scientists will gather in Tomsk State University to discuss the problem and share their ideas in Russian, English and Korean languages.

'Russia – Korea 2014' which is the international motor rally would go through Moscow to the Seoul and will be finished by 25th of August. <Photo=Newsroh.com>

Perhaps, the most ambitious event is the international motor rally “Russia – Korea 2014”. The rally would go through Moscow – Tashkent (Uzbekistan) – Bishkek (Kirgizstan) – Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) – Novosibirsk – Vladivostok – Pyongyang – DMZ – Seoul and as planned will be finished by 25th of August.

A Koryo saram and the Russian kids are enjoying the traditional play called 'Kite Flying'. <Photo=Stanislav Kim>

These events will take places everywhere in Russia during this year. The most important thing, that they are not only attracting attention of Koryo saram and Korean living in Russia, but also all other nations – making them more friendly.
I hope this year turns to be a new round in Russian-Korean relations.

150 years is a long way and we passed it together. So let’s live along under the slogan of one of events “Together we are strong!” Russia – Koryo saram – Korea, fighting~!

By Evgeniia Karmanova, Russia, AJA Global Reporter