CEFIA News

The Division of Understanding Korea Project of the Center for International Affairs at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) held a "Textbook Seminar for Educators of Azerbaijan" from April 17 to 22, 2023.

The seminar aimed to identify the correction of errors related to Korea from Azerbaijan textbooks, which were recently revised, to propose new contents on Korea for their textbooks, and to offer Azerbaijan educators an opportunity to experience the history and culture of Korea directly.

Hosted by the Division of Understanding Korea Project, the meeting served as a venue to discuss Korean contents to be included in Azerbaijan textbooks and to seek detailed cooperation plans to introduce rich Korean contents for Azerbaijan textbooks.

During the meeting with the Head of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), the participants found out that mutual exchanges had been taking place between Korea and Azerbaijan since ancient times through the discovered artifacts, and exchanged opinions on Korea's curriculum and evaluation and the development of textbooks. In addition, the participants visited the AKS's Archives of International Textbooks to compare international textbooks and look into them.

The participants also visited the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea to commemorate the soldiers who died in the Korean War, and then the War Memorial of Korea where they could understand UN forces' activities and sympathize with lessons for war and peace. Among Korea's heritages registered on UNESCO, they visited the Gyeongju Historic Areas such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and Daereungwon Ancient Tombs to experience Korea's history and culture directly. Furthermore, during the visit to Cheonggyecheon Museum, the participants had an opportunity to learn about light and shade of the development of Cheonggyecheon Stream and Seoul City. Likewise, while touring major sites of Seoul including Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insa-dong, they could widen their understanding of today's Korea.

The Azerbaijan educators said that they felt the vital history and culture of Korea, which are still vividly alive from past to present; the better they understood Korea and its culture, the more they became interested in Korea's development of scientific technology during the education program. They promised to continue exchanges and cooperation with the Division of Understanding Korea Project.

The 172nd Colloquium on Korean Studies Abroad took place at the main conference room of Munhyeonggwan Hall at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) at 11:00 a.m. on April 21 (Fri), 2023. This Colloquium was a venue where Professor Shin Chi-Yun of Sheffield Hallam University, winner of the 2023 ASK Fellowship, presented the results of her research titled "South Korean Women's Cinema: Trajectories and Projections," which she conducted in Korea for two months.

Professor Shin mentioned the situation wherein Korean female filmmakers and their diverse works are not well-known in the world despite the high global status and popularity of Korean films. She explained the contributions made by Korean female filmmakers to Korean cinema history. In addition, in order to reflect on the relation between contemporary feminist issues and films, she pointed out the current state of Korean women's films and looked into the history of the Korean film industry from a feminist perspective.

The Colloquium was attended by some 25 researchers and students who shared a variety of opinions through the Q & A session. The Division of International Support for Korean Studies at the Center for International Affairs will continue to share the results of overseas researchers for Korean studies and prepare a venue for communicating with AKS's researchers.