Korea expands cultural ties with Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM: South Korea is stepping up cultural engagement with Tanzania through film screenings, K-pop activities and creative exchange programmes as Seoul seeks to deepen people-to-people ties alongside its long-standing cooperation in education, trade and development.

Speaking ahead of the Korean Movie Day programme, South Korea’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Eunju Ahn said cinema has become one of the most effective tools for introducing Korean culture and strengthening friendship between the people of the two countries.

“The main purpose is to promote cultural exchanges and strengthen friendship between our two countries,” the ambassador said. “Through films, we hope audiences gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and society.”

The embassy says the annual film screening is designed not only to entertain audiences but also to expose Tanzanians to Korean language, history, music, landscapes and everyday life.

The initiative comes as Korean popular culture continues to gain global recognition through films, television dramas and music, creating new opportunities for cultural diplomacy and international collaboration.

According to the ambassador, the global appeal of Korean cinema lies in its emphasis on original storytelling, emotional depth and creative freedom rather than predictable commercial formulas.

“Korean cinema is mostly about psychology, human relationships, emotional depth and the complexity of life,” Anh said, adding that directors are generally given significant creative independence to develop distinctive stories.

Beyond entertainment, the embassy views cultural exchanges as an important foundation for broader bilateral relations.

The ambassador said programmes such as Korean Movie Day allow Tanzanians to better understand Korean society, values and aspirations while encouraging mutual respect and long-term cooperation between the two countries.

“Cultural events help people discover how much we share in terms of our hopes, challenges and life experiences,” she said.

South Korea has increasingly incorporated public diplomacy into its foreign policy, complementing traditional government-to-government engagement with programmes that directly engage citizens.

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The ambassador said cultural experiences often spark curiosity that later develops into stronger educational, business and development partnerships.

“The more Tanzanians know about Korea, the easier it becomes for our two countries to communicate effectively and build partnerships in education, trade and development cooperation,” she said.

The embassy also sees growing opportunities for collaboration between the creative industries of Tanzania and South Korea.

While acknowledging that both countries have distinct cultural traditions, the ambassador said expanding cultural exchanges could create new opportunities for dialogue, skills development and partnerships between filmmakers and other creative professionals.

This year, the Korean Embassy plans to expand its cultural calendar beyond film screenings to include K-pop festivals, dance classes, Korean beauty workshops and traditional Korean games, providing Tanzanians with wider opportunities to experience Korean culture.

The ambassador encouraged young Tanzanians interested in cinema, music and the creative arts to pursue their talents and explore future collaborations with Korean institutions.

“I encourage young Tanzanians to continue exploring their passions and discover where they excel. There are many untapped opportunities for Korea and Tanzania to connect and collaborate through the creative industries,” she said.

He said the film screening symbolises a relationship that is increasingly being built not only through official diplomacy but also through cultural exchange and stronger people-to-people connections.

“Today’s event demonstrates that the friendship between Korea and Tanzania extends beyond official cooperation. It is increasingly built on mutual respect, cultural exchange and lasting partnerships between our people,” she said.