Cultural officials from ten ASEAN member nations came together in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss further collaboration in the areas of traditional culture, particularly regarding a joint folk orchestra established in 2009.
Contrary to last year's meeting, which focused on the launching of the first-ever 'Orchestra Without Borders, composed of 80 Asian traditional musical instruments from all 11 nations, this year's gathering concentrated on expanding the horizon for cultural projects, as well as promoting the ASEAN Korea Joint Orchestra.
[Interview : Lee Byung-hoon, Assistant Minister
Office for Hub City of Asian Culture, MCST] "This year, we will focus on promoting the orchestra by arranging a world tour. We are also working on an Asian music archive so that we can develop it into an online music store."
In efforts to establish an "artistic network" in Asia the Korean government has numerous plans in the works including the construction of an Asian Culture Complex in the city of Gwangju.
During his opening address, Vice Culture Minister Kim Dae-ki unveiled the government's plan to make Gwangju the 'Hub City of Asian Culture.'
Also, on the minds of this year's conference-goers are the upcoming high-profile events where the ASEAN-Korea joint project and other ventures will be highlighted.
And representatives from the participating countries gave briefings on major project plans to further promote the unique cultural exchange.
One of the discussed issues was the second UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education set for May in Seoul.
The committee members for the UNESCO forum said that the joint orchestra is slated to perform at the event through which the sharing and expanding of culture within the Asian community will be showcased.
[Interview : Dr. Joseph Peters, Co-Chairman
ASEAN-Korea Traditional Music Representatives Committee ] "The very presence of the orchestra is the front-face of cooperation between ASEAN and Korea. As we begin to communicate the idea, the content of the orchestra, more and more people will take interest in what we are doing here."
The first day of exchanges, however, were only a prelude to a series of tasks that await the cultural forerunners.
[Reporter : Moon Conn-young
jenmoon@arirang.co.kr] "Cultural officials from 11 nations will continue their exchange of ideas in the southern city of Gwangju on Wednesday where they will sign an agreed minutes for the 4th ASEAN-Korea Meeting on Cultural Collaborations Projects.
Moon Conn-young, Arirang News."
MAR 16, 2010
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Friday, SEP 03, 2010, (KST) 
