Chuseok Celebration

 

Ambassador Choo with Madame Choo,
welcoming AKS member Neil Sarsfield to their Residence

We don’t really need an excuse to bring our members together, but as Chuseok is the biggest festival in the Korean calendar it seemed like a very good idea to celebrate it together.

We are most grateful to His Excellency the Korean Ambassador and his wife for hosting the event for the Anglo-Korean Society at their elegant residence in Palace Gate, Kensington.

Chuseok is a celebration of many things, particularly a good harvest and family, so it was very appropriate at a time when many Koreans visit their hometowns that the Society should come together at the home of the most senior Korean in the UK.

Some 50 members attended with a number of guests who were duly invited to join the Society, we hope that they all become members! Upon arrival we were greeted by Ambassador Choo Kyu Ho and Madame Choo, before being treated to pre-dinner drinks. These included both makoli and soju for the brave or those who just missed being back in Korea.

The Ambassador then gave a welcoming speech, reminding us of the meaning of Chuseok and the ties between our two countries which grow stronger each year. Our chairman, Warwick Morris, responded briefly, saving his words for the end of the evening.

Whilst a number of us chatted, renewed old friendships or made new ones others descended on a gargantuan Korean buffet which had been laid on in our honour. Traditional Korean food including bulgogi, kalbi, jeon, chapchae, kimbap and all manner of salads and kimchi awaited our members who attacked it with relish. Many people were seen visiting it several times and the meal was rounded off with traditional rice cakes.

We then returned to the main reception room for the entertainment which had been arranged by Sylvia Park. Ms Jung Ji Eun had a variety of Kayagum (Korean traditional Harps) and played a number of traditional pieces with great skill. She then introduced her 9 year old student, Dayena Song, who played both a solo and a duet. The finale was a splendid rendition of Arirang, to which many sang along, those who didn’t know the words just hummed. There were a few moist eyes and wistful looks as it drew to a close and enthusiastic applause followed.

To round off the enjoyable evening Warwick Morris thanked all those involved. He praised the food and the delightful music and expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador and his wife for opening their home to us at this auspicious time. In doing so he presented them with a gift of traditional English biscuits as a token of our appreciation for a wonderful evening.

Chris Hollands

A slideshow of images from the evening:

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