The Ecuadorian Embassy in South Korea celebrated its independence day with musical performances by two pianists from the South American nation during a reception at a hotel in Seoul on Aug. 9.

The musical duo of Noreia Mueckay and her son, Yarik Panko, performed a number of classical pieces for members of the foreign diplomatic community, Korean VIPs and friends of Ecuador during a reception celebrating the Andean nation’s 204th anniversary of independence from colonial rule.

The reception celebrated Ecuadorian cuisine as well, with such delicacies on offer as cheese and meat empanadas.

Ecuadorian Ambassador to South Korea Nicolas Trujillo lauded the accomplishments of his nation’s forefathers in welcome remarks delivered at the reception.

“The origin of (the independence) movement was borne out of a courageous group, the Quitenos, who are citizens of our nation’s capital of Quito, and who resolved that they would fight for the freedom of our country, a decision that gave momentum to the independence of Quito, and provided an example for other cities such as Bogota, Caracas, Santiago and Buenos Aires.”

Bogota is the capital of Colombia, Caracas the capital of Venezuela, Santiago the capital of Chile, and Buenos Aires the capital of Argentina.

Ecuador signed an MOU with South Korea to strengthen political and commercial ties during a recent visit by its foreign minister Ricardo Patino in June. The two nations began diplomatic relations in October 1962.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)