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Opening Dreams Through Books, Connecting Hearts Through Film! “2026 Eurasia City Diplomacy Delegation” Exchanges in Tashkent

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, and the Busan Global City Foundation announced that the “2026 Eurasia City Diplomacy Delegation” carried out city diplomacy activities in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 29 to 30, promoting the culture of Busan and Korea through books, film, and youth participation.

On the afternoon of August 29, a Korean-language book donation ceremony and Korean cultural experience event were held at the National Children’s Library of Uzbekistan.

Approximately 500 books prepared by Busan Library, including children’s picture books, newly published Korean books, books introducing Busan, and books for the Test of Proficiency in Korean, were donated to the National Children’s Library of Uzbekistan, the Alisher Navoi National Library, and two King Sejong Institute locations.

At the donation ceremony, Busan Library and the National Children’s Library of Uzbekistan signed an MOU, laying the foundation for continued exchanges of books, information, and cultural programs. They also agreed to strengthen their cooperative network so that the donated books would not be a one-time contribution but would continue to be read by local children and Korean-language learners.

Young members of the City Diplomacy Delegation carried out a variety of recreational and creative activities with approximately 100 local children in the library’s outdoor area, including making paper taepyeongso horns and traditional fans and coloring traditional Korean patterns, giving them an opportunity to experience Korean culture in a natural and engaging way.

At 4:00 p.m. on August 30, “Busan Day in Tashkent” was held at the National Palace of Cinema Arts of Uzbekistan with approximately 300 Tashkent residents.

Promotional videos about Busan and videos documenting the City Diplomacy Delegation’s activities were shown, while young delegation members showcased Busan’s dynamic appeal through a beokku dance* and K-pop performances. Two local young people were presented with certificates and badges appointing them to the honorary position of “Global Youth Ambassador in Tashkent,” entrusting them with the role of serving as youth exchange partners connecting the two cities.

• ●Beokku dance: A traditional Korean folk dance in which performers carry a small traditional Korean percussion instrument called a beokku and dance while beating it in rhythm.

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The highlight of the event was the free screening of the Korean film Wanggwa Saneun Namja beginning at 5:00 p.m. Through the film screening, the Eurasia City Diplomacy Delegation introduced local residents to Korean history and sentiment and shared a meaningful opportunity with the people of Tashkent to understand and empathize with one another’s cultures through film.

In particular, the screening was a meaningful occasion to introduce Busan, a city of film, and Korean cinema at the National Palace of Cinema Arts, a center of Uzbekistan’s film culture. Jahongir Ahmedov, First Deputy Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan and head of the Cinematography Agency, attended the screening and exchanged views with the Eurasia City Diplomacy Delegation on ways to promote cultural cooperation and exchanges among filmmakers and young people from the two regions, building on cooperation with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture and Cinematography Agency.

Oh Seok-keun, Vice Mayor for Future Innovation of Busan Metropolitan City, said, “A single book can become a small window through which people encounter Korea and Busan, while films and performances can become a cultural language that connects people’s hearts. I hope this meeting will serve as a new starting point that connects the future generations of Busan and Uzbekistan, enables the two regions to meet more often, and fosters a lasting friendship.”