"Autumn Sunlight, Good Friends and Great Food of Namdo!"

Visiting Diplomatic Corps. of the 23rd Namdo Food Festival 2016 enjoyed such autumn sunlight, good friends and great of food of Namdo to the fullest by the invitation of Jeollanamdo Province on Oct. 21st(Friday) in Damyang county.

While Myanmar Amb. Thura Thet Oo Maung assumed the dean role of visiting Diplomatic Corps. to attend this year's 23rd Namdo Food Festival, many senior diplomats joined this trip including Egypt deputy Mr. Diaa Hammad, Iran Mme. Mahmanesh Taherian, Vietnam 2nd secretary Nguyen Dang Quang, China Consul General Mr. Sun Xianyu in Gwangju, Bulgaria deputy spouse Mrs. Snezhanka Panova, Sriranka 3rd secretary Ms. Nayanna Udalagama, Cote d'Ivoire cultural & tourism attache Ms. Amena Catherine Kouassi in addition to some correspondents such as UK ITN correspondent Maeng Ju-seok & Russia Itar-tass correspondent Stanislav Varivoda etc.

▲ Group photo session after the official Opening Ceremony of the 23rd Namdo Food Festival in Damyang. (Governor Lee Nak-yeon couple, red clothes, are lined up with 22 city & county mayors in Jeollanamdo.)

Upon arriving at the festival venue located around Damyang county, Juknokwon & Jeonnam Provincial College by the means of KTX train, members of visiting Diplomatic Corps. dropped by city & county exhibition and market places from 22 cities & counties in Jeonnam region as their first schedule.

▲ Governor Lee couple spearheading sangdal parade. (Courtesy: Jeollanamdo Province)

At the luncheon to welcome visiting Diplomatic Corps., Amb. Kim Dae-sik for International Relations, Jeollanamdo Provincial Gov't was on hand to ask visiting diplomats' support for the publicity of Namdo foods abroads. He said Jeollanamdo sincerely hopes for visiting diplomats & families to unfold many publicity activities to their home countries after returning to Seoul, wrapping up this trip with invaluable memories. The luncheon was provided with Daetongbap so that visiting diplomats & families can experience traditional bamboo culture in Damyang.

▲ Governor Lee Nak-yeon couple from Jeollanamdo Province spearheading Sangdal parade before the Opening Ceremony.

Until the 20th Namdo Food Festival, this festival has been hosted in Nakaneupseong, Suncheon and during recent three consecutive years from the 21th Namdo Food Festival, its main stage has been Damyang. From next year, Gangjin will become the main stage to host Namdo Food Festival, according to the Organizing Committee.

Before its official Opening Ceremony, Sangdal parade from Hyeongkyo Bridge(Juknonwon Entrance) to mainstage provided travellors & visiting diplomats and families with a good spectacle so that diplomats & their families can understand that Sangdal ceremony means setting the ceremony table with food from all of the counties in Jeollanamdo and reading a letter to the gods.

▲ Sangdal ceremony which means setting the ceremony table with food from all of the counties in Jeollanamdo and reading a letter to the gods. (Courtesy: Jeollanamdo Province)

While all mayors from 22 cities & counties in Jeollanamdo were attending its Opening Ceremony of the 23rd Namdo Food Festival in Juknokwon, Governor Lee Nak-yeon from Jeollanamdo prayed for Namdo Renaissance's big road through an oath to Heaven.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Lee committed himself to do his utmost for the globalization of Namdo foods, adding in that regard, the visit of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps. to the 23rd Namdo Food Festival is very significant and valuable at this juncture.

▲ Governor Lee couple taking a photo after the opening ceremony with visiting diplomats including Myanmar Amb. Thura H Thet Oo Maung(second from right).

By his capacity as dean of visiting Diplomatic Corps., Myanmar Amb. Thura H. Thet Oo Maung made his congratulatory remarks, saying that with the motto of autumn sunlights, good friends and great foods of Namdo, we ambassadors & diplomats understand that the 23rd Namdo Food Festival is being hosted to let the excellence of Namdo foods know and to share it with not only Korean people on the peninsular, but also with peoples around the world. (See the excerpts of Myanmar Amb. at the end of this article!)

Damyang county mayor Choi Hyung-shik stressed: "Damyang is a stronghold of Namdo foods", adding Damyang county will double its efforts so that visitors from home & abroad can appreciate the essence of Namdo foods in Damyang.

Myanmar Amb. Thura H. Thet Oo Maung (center) sitting with city mayors by his capacity as dean of visitiing diplomats.

Wrapping up their attendance at the Opening Ceremony, visiting diplomats & families dropped by Namdo Food Theme Exhibition Hall alongwith Governor Lee from Jeollanamdo & Province officials to appreciate themed food, food prepared by specialist, & representative food of cities & counties and last but not least to meet Namdo food specialists(9 people Myungins).

In a followed welcome reception, Governor Lee expressed his special thanks for 9 Namdo food specialists Myungins who showed best Namdo foods than ever, saying that this year's Namdo Food Festival became more diverse and profound than last year. In his toast remarks, Myanmar Amb. Thura H. Thet Oo Maung said that both countries' foods have many similarities in common such as Kimchi & Bibimbap to name just a few, adding he believes that Korean foods are not only delicious, but also its appearance is very beautiful.

▲ Group photo in front of Damyang Bamboo Park.

After the welcome reception, visiting diplomats & families dropped by Damyang Bamboo Park and Korea Bamboo Museum as part of their fam tour programs. In a nutshell, Damyang has the most appropriate environment and geographical conditions for a bamboo forest in Korea. Especially Honam area among southern areas is the most appropriate for growing bamboos, so the best quality bamboos are produced here, according to a woman guide tour.

Even before the Joseon Dynasty Period, bamboo crafts have been made, and at that time bamboo sprouts were given to King. Also, bamboo crafts were introduced to Manchuria and Japan.

▲ In front of the entrance, the 23rd Namdo Food Festival.

The following is a congratulatory speech by Myanmar Amb. Thura H. Thet Oo Maung during the Opening Ceremony to congratulate the 23rd Namdo Food Festival.-Ed.

Honorable Governor Lee Nak-yeon from Jellanam-Do(South Jeolla Province)!

Honorable Damyang County Mayor Choi Hyung-shik! and many city & county mayors in Jeolla Namdo region!

Dear colleages from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps. and Ladies & Gentlemen!

Myanmar Amb. Maung stressing the excellence of Namdo foods during the official opening ceremony.

It is a great honor & privilege for me as Myanmar Amb. to Korea to make some congratulatory remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the 23rd Namdo Food Festival.

With the motto of autumn sunbeams, good people and Namdo food, we ambassadors & diplomats understand that the 23rd Nam do Food Festival is being hosted to let the excellence of Namdo foods know and to share it with not only Korean people on the peninsular, but also with peoples around the world.

In that regard, we ambassadors & diplomats from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps. feel very honored and privileged in attending the 23rd Namdo Food Festival. Besides appreciating diverse health foods from Namdo regions in addition to visiting food pavilions representing Namdo, we ambassadors & diplomats are looking forward to enjoying Damyang County to the fullest by visiting Jooknokwon, Gwanbangjerim, Metasequoia Road, and last but not least bamboo forest roads.

Hoping for great success of the 23rd Namdo Food Festival, thank you once again for warm invitation & hospitality. Thank you!

저작권자 © 서울시티 무단전재 및 재배포 금지