Photo exhibition allows rich cultural exchange

Songpa-gu – Urban Living Photographic Exhibition, a new photo exhibition demonstrating the richness and diversity of Christchurch sister city Songpa-gu, has been opened by Christchurch City Council and Christchurch Songpa-gu Sister City Committee.

The exhibition has come about due to a Sister City exchange between New Brighton Photographic Club Inc and the Solbit Photography Club of Songpa-gu Office, Seoul, Korea.  Songpa-gu is a city renowned for its festivals, culture and art. The exhibition showcases 50 photos of urban living featuring cultural festivals, river leisure activities and more. The central photo features the prized Korean mask dance performed in front of the national icon, the Word Peace Gate at Olympic Park.

Mayor Bob Parker was pleased to open the exhibition.

“This photographic exhibition is a great example of a mutually beneficial exchange.  We can explore each other’s worlds through these images, giving Cantabrians a great insight into the cultural life, festivals and leisure activities in Songpa-gu.  We would like to take this opportunity to again thank Songpa-gu for their assistance following the earthquake and I hope they will be encouraged to see how far we have progressed.”

The President of the Christchurch Korean Society, Judy Yun, was proud to be a part of the event.

“We thank you for this opportunity and for warmly welcoming Songpa-gu into your busy and complex lives at this time of rebuild and revitalisation and we look forward to other exchanges in the education and cultural arenas as well.”

Phil Tappenden, Chair of the Sister City Committee was Master of Ceremonies and has been involved in previous photo exchanges.

“We displayed Songpa-gu’s exhibition Through the Lens in 2010 attracting over 2000 visitors and starting a fruitful relationship between the two photo clubs. This is the fourth such photo exchange and with several of their photographers winning awards the talent in the Solbit Club is obvious.”

Christchurch and Songpa-Gu have been Sister Cities since 1995 and 2012 marks 50 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between New Zealand and South Korea.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday 13 November to Monday 26 November 2012 and is open weekdays from 8.30am – 5pm, level 1 foyer, Civic Offices at 53 Hereford St, Christchurch (entrance off Worcester Street).