The Korean Cultural Center in Turkey, in partnership with Hansung University and Erciyes University, successfully completed the Taste Korea Week event from October 22 to 24 at Erciyes University in Kayseri. The three-day cultural exchange program offered participants an immersive experience in Korean traditional culture, marking a significant milestone in international cultural collaboration.
This groundbreaking event represented the first joint project where all three institutions collaborated from the initial planning stages through complete execution. The partnership has drawn considerable attention as an innovative model of international exchange that effectively combines cultural education with academic cooperation, setting a new standard for future cultural diplomacy initiatives.
The program's core focus centered on providing hands-on training in traditional Korean dance for students while offering specialized academic seminars for instructors. A dedicated team from Hansung University, led by Professors Kim Nam-yong and Jang Hye-rim from the Korean Dance Department, traveled to Turkey to conduct the intensive program. The delegation included additional dance faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate participants who all contributed to the comprehensive educational experience.
Twenty-five students from Erciyes University participated in the intensive three-day training program, which provided step-by-step instruction in traditional Korean dance forms. The curriculum covered fundamental movements and advanced expressive techniques of classical Korean dances, with particular emphasis on the Fan Dance (Buchaechum) and Taepyeongmu. Students progressed from basic postures and footwork to complex choreographic sequences under the guidance of experienced Korean instructors.
Beyond theoretical instruction, both Korean instructors and students performed live demonstration pieces, showcasing the beauty and cultural significance of traditional Korean dance. This hands-on approach distinguished the program from typical cultural workshops, as it was specifically designed as a practical exchange program that emphasized immersive, experiential learning rather than passive observation.
The intensive nature of the program left a profound impression on local Turkish students, who gained deep appreciation for Korean cultural traditions through direct participation. The collaborative teaching methodology allowed for meaningful cultural exchange, with Turkish students not only learning dance techniques but also understanding the historical and cultural contexts behind each performance.
Recognizing the program's success, both Hansung University and Erciyes University committed to strengthening their academic partnership through various future initiatives. The institutions agreed to establish joint research projects, implement student exchange programs, create internship opportunities, and regularize academic seminars. These commitments ensure that the cultural exchange will evolve into sustained academic collaboration.
The Taste Korea Week event has been recognized not merely as a platform for cultural exchange but as a solid foundation for long-term academic partnership between Korean and Turkish educational institutions. This successful model demonstrates how cultural programs can serve as catalysts for broader educational cooperation, potentially inspiring similar initiatives across other international partnerships.
