Humanitarian cooperation
Cultural, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation
The cooperation between two countries in cultural, scientific-technical and humanitarian spheres has been deepened along with political and economical fields.
“Korean Cultural Days” and the “The Week of Korean Films” have been held in Azerbaijan respectively on 26-30 June and on 17-20 October 2005. Also, “Azerbaijan Cultural Days” was organized on 26-30 June 2007 in Seoul, Korea.
It should also be noted that as a legal basis for future development of cultural relations, the “Agreement on the Cooperation in the Cultural Fields between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Korea” was signed on 11 May 2006.
The Association of SEBA together with East-West Neo Medical Center of Kyung Hee University provided medical aid to refugees and low-income families, settled in Qabala and Yevlakh district of Azerbaijan, on 21-27 January 2007.
To deepen cooperation in the field of youth, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan and the Korean National Youth Commission on 23 April 2007.
With the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea, the filming groups of KBS and EBS TV channels have been to Azerbaijan respectively in August and October of 2009 and broadcast special programs on the people, culture, historical monuments, and tourist sightseeing places of Azerbaijan. Moreover, advertisements on tourism potential of Azerbaijan have been placed on 22 buses touring the central streets of the Seoul in 2009.
On November 14-26, 2010, the international exhibition named “the Silk Way, its life story” was held in “Pyeongtaek Lake Arts Gallery” in Pyeongtaek city of Korea. The paintings of 22 Azerbaijani artists were demonstrated in the exhibition.
On March 21, 2011 the opening ceremony of the “International Harmony Exhibition-2011” organized by the Association of SEBA and the “Art Bent” company of Korea was held in Seoul.
On June 11, 2011, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Association of SEBA and the Embassy of Azerbaijan, the statue named “Divided nation” of the famous Azerbaijani artist and sculptor Omar Eldarov was erected in Gaehwa park of Korea.
On March 26-27, 2012, the paintings of Azerbaijani participants were demonstrated in the International Child Peace Art Festival under the World Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul.
On June 12, 2012, Azerbaijani musicians and dancers performed national songs and dances during the opening ceremony of the international exhibition “Yeosoo Expo-2012”
On October 24, 2012, with the initiative of the Embassy of Azerbaijan and support of the “BUTA” Azerbaijan-Korea Student Organization, an event dedicated to the 870th anniversary of the famous Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi was held in the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies of Korea.
On April 11-14, 2013, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Embassy participated in the “11th Tour Expo Daegu Gyeongbuk-2013” and demonstrated the national carpets, cuisine and souvenirs of our country to the participants of the exhibition.
On April 16-30, 2013, the “Azerbaijan Cuisine Festival” organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Association of SEBA was held in Millennium Seoul Hilton hotel.
On May 25, 2013, the Embassy participated in the international tourism exhibition organized by the Busan International Activities Fond in Busan and demonstrated the national carpets, cuisine and souvenirs of our country to the participants of the exhibition.
On November 10, 2013, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea attended at the “Global Culture and Costume Festival” that organized by the Korean Culture Association in Ulsan city of Korea.
On March 12-14, 2014, the photo exhibition named “Azerbaijan Realities” was organized at Hankuk University of foreign Studies by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the exhibition, description of Khojali massacre was introduced to the students of the University. Aslo, famous French photo-journalist Frederique Lengaigne attended at the exhibition.
On October 30, 2014, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan attended at the opening ceremony of “Silk Road and Central Asia Center” organizred by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of Keimyung University of Korea in Daegu city.
On November 10, 2014, the Embassy of Azerbaijan attended at diplomatic bazaar organized by SIWA – Seoul International Women Association in Seoul. National carpets, cuisine and souvenirs reflecting cultural-national aspects of our country were presented to the attention of participants.
On April 8, 2015, the Embassy of Azerbaijan attended at diplomatic bazaar organized by “Ambassadors Spouses Association in Seoul – ASAS” in Seoul.
On April 17, 2015, Classic Music Concert co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea and the Korea Foundation was held at “Seoul Arts Center”. Soloists of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, pianist Ms. Saida Taghi-zade and cellist Mr. Aleksey Mylthkh performed the concert program together with fast-rising Korean violinist Kim Bomsori. Works of World and Azerbaijani Classical Compositions were introduced at the concert.
On May, 2-3, 2015, the Embassy of Azerbaijan attended at “Seoul Friendship Fair-2015” organized by Seoul city Municipal. During the exhibition, national carpets, cuisine and souvenirs reflecting cultural-national aspects of our country were displayed.
On May 12, 2015, the Embassy of Azerbaijan attended at 27th charity bazaar organized by the Association of Spouses of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the bazaar, national dresses, cusine and souvenirs were presented.
On August 21, 2015, the opening ceremony of “Gyeongju Silk Road Festival-2015” along with the participation of representatives of more than 30 countries including Azerbaijan was held in Gyeongju city of Gyeongsangbuk-do province of the Republic of Korea. Within the frame of the Festival, Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev, Chief of Executive Power of Gabala city of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a visit to the Republic of Korea for the period of 19-23 August 2015. During the visit, “Agreement on Establishment of Friendly Relations between Gabala city of Azerbaijan and Gyeongju citiy of Korea” was signed by Mr. Choi Yang-sik, Mayor of Gyeongju city and Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev, Chief of Executive Power of Gabala city.
On August 22, 2015, “Azerbaijan Day” within the “Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival-2015” was held in Gyeongju city of the Republic of Korea. After playing of National Anthems of both countries and speeches of Honorary Guests, concert program under the performance of Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble, Ancient Music Instruments Ensemble introducing Azerbaijan national music and dance were introduced to the attention of Festival participants.
On October 9-11, 2015, Azerbaijan attended at SIBF – “Seoul International book Fair-2015” that held in COEX Center of Seoul with the support of SEBA – Azerbaijan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association, the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On October 15-18, 2015, “Azerbaijan Film Festival” was organized by the Azerbaijan Cultural Foundation, SEBA - Azerbaijan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association, the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Seoul.
Initiated by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and sponsored by ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea first ever Turkic Culture Festival has been held on November 8-13, 2016 in the Republic of Korea.
Opening ceremony of the Festival with joint performances of cultural groups from 5 Turkic countries has been held on November 8th in the National Museum of Korea. Azerbaijan Day in framework of Turkic Culture Festival dedicated to 25th anniversary of restoration of state independence and State Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on November 9th and on November 13th cultural team of Azerbaijan performed jointly with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Gimhae.
Education
At the same time, the bilateral cooperation in the field of education has developed in recent years. At present, more than 70 students from Azerbaijan study at various Korean universities. As Azerbaijan and Korean languages come from the same Ural-Altaic language group, there is mutual interest to study the Azerbaijani language in Korea and Korean language in Azerbaijan in return. Today, the Korean language is being taught in two universities in Azerbaijan, namely in Baku State University and Azerbaijan University of Languages. And also as a result of cooperation in this field, the Azerbaijani language, culture and history started to be taught in Korea Foreign Languages University since 2008. Today, 24 Korean students are studying the Azerbaijani language at the mentioned University.
Special courses provided by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for experts from various Azerbaijan state structures and also its assistance for students to continue their study in Korean universities should be emphasized.
On January 24, 2008, the “Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of education between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea was signed in Baku.
On March 21, 2009, in order to organize the Azerbaijani students studying in Korea and to strengthen their social and political activity, with the initiative and support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan the “BUTA” Azerbaijan-Korea Student Organization was founded in Seoul.
On April, 2009, the “Azerbaijan Corner” established in the library of Seoul National University, one of influential academician centre of Korea.
On June 11, 2011, the “Memorandum of Understanding on joint cooperation, information and artist exchange between the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts and the Korea Art University was signed in Seoul.
On December 27, 2011, the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction and the Konkuk University of Construction and Technology was signed in Seoul.
On January 29-31, 2013, the delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Rector of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Hafiz Pashayev visited the Republic of Korea and had meetings in the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, University of Korea, University of Yonsei and Korea Diplomatic Academy, discussing on bilateral cooperation between the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy and the above mentioned universities.
On May 12-22, 2015, Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a visit to the Republic of Korea. During the visit, Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov had productive discussions with Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea, presidents of Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training , Korean Educational Development Institute, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as well as the rector of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. The Minister of Education of Azerbaijan also had a meeting about the project on “establishment of Vocational Training Center” with director-general of Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
