Irkutsk State University traditionally takes an active part in celebrating the Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) Day, which is celebrated on 9th October. The university has one of the oldest schools of Korean studies in the region, and two Korean linguistic centres successfully operate at the Institute of Philology, Foreign Languages and Media Communication and the International Institute of Economics and Linguistics.
This year the Hangeul Day has become special because the acting head of the Department of Oriental Studies of ISU Faculty of Foreign Languages Ekaterina Li received a state award of the Republic of Korea – the Order of Cultural Merit. The award was presented by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Duck-soo at the official celebration of the Hangul Day.
The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded for the contribution to the development and promotion of the Korean language and culture. Ekaterina Li has been teaching Korean at ISU since 2002. She is the initiator of many scientific and cultural events related to Korea in Irkutsk. She is also the regional coordinator of the Association of Korean Language Teachers of the Siberian Regions, a member of international organisations involved in the study and teaching of Korean, runs an online school.
Ekaterina Li:
It is a great honour to receive an award of such a high level and at the same time it is a great responsibility. It is very pleasant to realize that the work that you devote your life to has received such an appreciation.
I would like to thank the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk and personally the Consul General, Mr Han Seong Jin, for all their support and for nominating me for the award.
In Irkutsk, the Hangeul Day was held at ISU Botanical Garden on October 9th. The venue for the holiday is chosen traditionally, it has been the same since 2017 when the Korean Garden (that is, by the way, is the only one in Russia) appeared in the Botanical Garden.
The guests were welcomed by the Vice Rector for Research and International Cooperation Konstantin Grigorichev:
Every year on this day the weather is sure to be good, and we meet here, see happy faces, smile at each other. We are making plans for the next year and summing up the results of the year.
Konstantin Grigorichev presented the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk, Mr Han Seong Jin, a book “South Korea: kaleidoscope of events and holidays” – a collection of descriptions of traditional and modern holidays of the Republic of Korea, written by a team of ISU authors specializing in Korean studies.
Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk Han Seong Jin said the Korean language, created in 1443, has preserved its identity and has continued to be a carrier of unique Korean culture despite various influences. Also the Consul General noted the merits of Ekaterina Li, who was awarded a state award.
ISU students prepared national Korean musical performances: the ensemble “Lotus” of the Centre of Korean Culture presented a composition on samulnori (사물놀이, Korean drums), students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages performed a traditional Korean folk dance, students of the International Institute of Economics and Linguistics ISU sang a Korean song.
The key event of the day was the planting of a tree in honour of the Hangeul Day. According to Svetlana Sizykh, Director of the Botanical Garden, this is the third tree planted on Hangeul Day. In 2020 a Korean pine was planted, in 2021 a Manchurian apricot, and this year – Amur cork tree.
