The Korean Cultural Center in Hungary successfully participated in the 34th Valley of Arts festival, Hungary's largest interdisciplinary art festival, bringing Korean culture to thousands of international visitors. The festival took place from July 18 to 27, 2025, across three picturesque Hungarian villages: Kapolcs, Taliándörögd, and Vigántpetend.
The Korean Cultural Center organized a comprehensive two-day cultural program on July 23 and 24, offering festival-goers an immersive experience in Korean traditions. Visitors had the opportunity to participate in hands-on Korean calligraphy workshops, where they learned the ancient art of Korean brush writing. The center also provided traditional tattoo sticker experiences, allowing participants to adorn themselves with Korean cultural symbols and designs. Additionally, the Korean delegation distributed various cultural souvenirs to attendees, helping them take home a piece of Korean heritage.
One of the festival's major highlights was an exclusive cooking show presented by Chef Taeyeon Kim on July 24. The culinary demonstration drew significant attention from food enthusiasts as Chef Kim expertly prepared Korean dishes while incorporating Hungarian wine pairings, creating a unique fusion experience that celebrated both cultures. The cooking show demonstrated the versatility and appeal of Korean cuisine to an international audience.
The festival also featured extensive food tastings that introduced visitors to authentic Korean flavors. Festival-goers had the chance to sample Korean soju, the country's traditional distilled spirit, and gochujang, the iconic fermented chili paste that serves as a cornerstone of Korean cooking. These tastings provided many European visitors with their first authentic taste of Korean culinary traditions, creating memorable experiences that showcased the depth and complexity of Korean flavors.
The cultural program reached its peak with a spectacular collaborative performance featuring both Korean and Hungarian artists. The joint presentation combined Korean traditional dance with classical Korean music, creating a mesmerizing artistic fusion that captivated audiences. The performance demonstrated the universal language of art and music, with Korean and Hungarian performers working together to create something entirely new while honoring their respective cultural traditions. The energy and beauty of the collaborative performance left lasting impressions on festival attendees and highlighted the potential for international artistic cooperation.
