- The Korea Times

Author Kim Chakanetsa stands between Rwandan broadcaster and YouTuber Maronko Moise and interpreter Park Ji-young, during a book talk at Rainbow Theater in Seoul Seongdong Youth Center, May 20. / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

By Bereket Alemayehu

Every May 25, Africans in the continent and around the world, even in Korea, celebrate Africa Day. However, this year is a special celebration for the African Union (AU). It was officially launched in 2002 and consists of 55 member states. It is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was formed 60 years ago on May 25, 1963.
Recently, prior to Africa Day, but as part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations, the 2023 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was commemorated on May 20 at Rainbow Theater in Seoul Seongdong Youth Center. It was also organized by the locally established civic organization Africa Insight, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Africa Insight is a Seoul-based NGO with the aim of facilitating education and awareness surrounding African development, both in Korea and worldwide. Africa Insight's work encompasses a wide range of topics, including media monitoring and reporting, government advisory services and general education. Last year it organized the Seoul Africa Festival in October and a public campaign for policy recommendations targeting the 5th Korea-Africa Forum in March.

According to the event's press release, the organizers aimed to enhance understanding of the continent by organizing various programs, including performances and experiences and book talks for Korean youth, young children and their parents or guardians as well.

Kim Chakanetsa, a BBC journalist and author of "Africana: An encyclopedia of an amazing continent," was invited for the first time to Korea to speak at a global book concert.

Kim Chakanetsa, BBC journalist and author of "Africana: An encyclopedia of an amazing continent" / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

The award-winning journalist, broadcaster and producer from Zimbabwe who joined the BBC in 2013 after working for CNN International and Associated Press, told The Korea Times that coming here was an exciting experience. "My first impression was a very long time ago, when Korea hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988," she said. "For young Kim It was amazing. And then I asked, 'Where is that place?' I was just very curious. Since then Korea was one of the top countries to visit on my list. It was a great chance being here, to talk about African dynamic countries and particularly on my book, which is all about an introduction of the incredible continent."

Steven Sungyong Heo, director of Africa Insight, highlighted the importance of partnership with Africa and organizing such events for the public. "It's to provide awareness, and useful knowledge to Korean youth, to let them open their eyes because Africa is part of the world and the young ones are the future of global citizens," he said. "Therefore, our focus on the youth is with the purpose of informing. We need to develop an open mindset on their perspectives about Africa by educating them on how Africa has positive impacts, with huge cultural diversity and natural resources. Obviously, the discrepancies of factual information were because of the stereotypical kind of mass media reporting, portraying the continent in very negative ways. So, it's up to the youth to learn and decide by themselves. Actually, that's what our organization is striving to do."

Steven Sungyong Heo, director of Africa Insight / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Timed with Chakanetsa's visit, Africa Insight offered a Korean translation of her book.

A copy of the Korean translation of "Africana: An encyclopedia of an amazing continent" / Courtesy of Africa Insight

Heo said Africa Insight is working on a book publishing project with a name translated into English as "Africa As It Is," in collaboration with Green Rain Publishing Company.

"So far, we have accomplished releasing seven books covering Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Algeria, Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria by Korean authors who have lived in the continent for many years," he said. "The authors usually try their best to cover all aspects of life, cultures, peoples and politics in those countries, to write with depth and checked facts in an objective manner aside from their personal feelings."

Chakanetsa's book is the first to be translated into Korean by Africa Insight.

Prior to her book talk, Korean author Park Ji-sun gave a lecture titled, "We are all global citizens," based on the lessons in her book "Children's School for Global Citizenship." Then followed a unique music and dance performance by TAGG, an African dance company.

The Africa dance company TAGG performs as part of a book concert, May 20. / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Lee Ho-eun, who recently earned a master's degree in the French language at Kyung Hee University, said it was exhilarating to attend the cultural diversity event.

Lee Ho-eun / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Her first connection with Africa was when she landed in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, for a stopover on her way to France. She spent a day looking around, impressed by the views, the people, and above all witnessing Africans' vitality in life. That experience led her to the recent decision to move to Senegal next month, where she will work for two years at a publishing company. She hopes moving to a new environment will connect with people in order to learn more about diverse cultures and lifestyles, and help lead to personal growth.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also a co-founder of the social initiative Hanokers and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency. Visit?photopatternist.com?for more information.

?