Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Majka has presented traditional clothes from his country to Korean students to mark the 25th anniversary of the Department of Polish Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Majka gave the Polish folk garments to HUFS students on April 24, when he also presented an honor to HUFS professor Choi Sung-eun.

Choi was awarded Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit by Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski for her outstanding service in developing Polish-Korean academic cooperation and promoting Polish culture here.

She has translated 17 Polish books into Korean and has written more than 40 articles on Polish culture and literature over the last 10 years.

“Thanks to her engagement and devotion the number of cultural, academic events has increased,” a Polish Embassy spokesperson said.

“Professor Choi is an extremely modest person, devoted to her research and students. Although she dreamed to be a pianist and play Chopin music she has decided to concentrate on the studies of Poland, the country of Chopin.”

Choi received a Master’s degree in Polish modern literature at HUFS before completing a Ph.D. at Warsaw University on the life and works of Wacław Sieroszewski, the first Pole in Korea.

She has been head of HUFS’ Department of Polish Studies since 2006.

The department was founded by professor Chung Byung-kwon in 1987 before diplomatic relations between Poland and Korea were formed. It is the oldest and the largest center of Polish Studies in East Asia.

In 2000, Korean students at HUFS established a Polish folk dance group called “Mazurka,” teaching themselves the traditions and choreography of the traditional dances.

Ambassador Majka presented the new garments from his country’s Krakow region to give the students the chance to practice Polish folk dances in original, professional clothes.

The ceremony was attended by 80 people, including HUFS president Park Chul, two vice-presidents Lee Sang-hyup and Kee Hyune-hwan and dean of academic affairs Kwon Hyok-jae.

By Kirsty Talyor (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)