The Corea Image Communication Institute will host its fourth annual Culture Communication Forum next month, inviting a wide range of cultural icons from 16 countries to Korea in the hope of increasing understanding and knowledge of the nation as a brand.

“I think through this forum people will have a better opportunity to communicate by exchanging cultures,” said CICI president Choi Jung-wha. “Here people can not only come to experience Korean culture, but talk and exchange ideas with others and I think all of this will contribute to the brand image of Korea.”

This year’s forum will run from Sept. 1-3, during which the invited guests will have the opportunity to learn about the country while they engage in various Korean cultural activities and performances, and try out the local cuisine.

Among this year’s participants are Gabrielle Trainor, chair of the National Film and Sound Archive in Australia; German poet and arts professor Joachim Sartorius; and James Suckling, an internationally acclaimed wine critic from the U.S.

As the former senior editor and European bureau chief of Wine Spectator magazine, Suckling, who is also a cigar critic, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential wine critics.

For the forum dinner on Sept. 1 at Seoul Museum, Suckling will introduce wines that can be paired with the Korean menu that will be presented by Korean celebrity chef Kang Leo, who will be assisted by Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine president Han Bok-rye in planning the meal.

“These people have all come very highly recommended by various embassies and cultural entities,” said Choi. “The most important goal of this forum is to encourage communication via culture.”

On Sept. 3 the CCF participants and invited panelists will hold a grand discussion session under the theme of “Old vs. New: Presenting the case for traditional or modern culture.” This will be followed by a gala dinner attended by 300 guests held at the Westin Chosun that will bring the three-day forum to a close.

The CICI is an organization that strives to promote Korea and Korean culture on a global scale. The institution organizes international events and annually honors people, events and even landmarks that are considered to promote a positive national brand image.


By Julie Jackson
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)