By Honorary Reporter Dayviana Diaz from Cuba
Photos = Dayviana Diaz

Over 50 Hallyu fans in Cuba gathered on July 7 for the event "Korean Culture Afternoon" at the Oswaldo Guayasamin House Museum in Old Havana. The event was organized with support from the Korean-language school of Casa de Asia Museum, Korean Church of Los Angeles and Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Southern California city.

Korean National Association of Cuba President Antonio Kim and museum director Yamir Macias started the event by welcoming ethnic Korean participants. Stressing the importance of cultural exchange, both said such an event brought first-hand enjoyment of Korean culture for Cubans.

The church's youth choir and the school's students performed a song in Spanish. Children ranging from ages 8-12 also participated in the performance.

Next, the students performed dance covers from works by K-pop artists like BTS, BLACKPINK and Stray Kids. Others displayed their strong command of Korean through vocal interpretations of songs from K-drama soundtracks.

Young Cubans show their love for Korea through music, dance and singing at the event.

The Korean participants held a gugak (traditional music) performance with percussion instruments, followed by a taekwondo demonstration and buchaechum (traditional fan dance) show accompanied by the BTS hit "Dynamite."

The Korean participants at the event performed a traditional fan dance.

After the performances, participants had opportunities to socialize, during which the KCC provided gifts to Cuban attendees. The items included postcards of Dokdo Island and yakgwa (traditional cookies) made with honey and sesame oil.

In addition, participants could choose between 3D puzzles based on Korea's national treasures or a mouse pad featuring elements of Korean culture. I chose a 3D puzzle of the legendary 16th-century Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea's greatest war hero.

The Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles provided gifts to attendees of the event.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things.