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See - Sada Elbalad
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Korean Culture Caravan Brings Vibrant Traditions to Port Said
H-Tayea The Korean Cultural Center in Egypt hosted its second Korean Culture Caravan at Misr Public Library in Port Said, drawing large crowds eager to explore the richness of Korean culture through immersive experiences and interactive programming. This traveling cultural initiative, designed to reach underserved regions across Egypt, offers a vibrant blend of live performances, hands-on workshops, interactive booths, and Korean language classes, promoting cross-cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of Korean heritage. The Port Said edition featured a dynamic program that included: Introductory Korean language classes, sparking interest in Korean culture and communication. Traditional craft workshops, where participants crafted symbolic carnations for Parents' Day (celebrated on May 8), practiced Korean calligraphy, and painted Hahoe masks, rooted in traditional Korean theater. Interactive booths featuring Korean games like Tuho (arrow tossing). Virtual reality experiences and Korean film screenings, highlighting both modern innovations and cinematic achievements. Exhibitions of Hanji (traditional handmade paper), Korean musical instruments, and culinary showcases of Korean food. Hanbok dress-up sessions, giving attendees a chance to wear Korea's iconic traditional attire while enjoying a live Gugak (traditional Korean music) performance. A central theme of the event was Parents' Day, a meaningful Korean holiday that honors parents with symbolic gestures—most notably carnations. Organizers shared the cultural significance of carnation colors: Red for both parents alive Pink for one parent alive White for both parents deceased Parents' Day is part of 'Family Month' in South Korea, which also includes Children's Day (May 5) and Teacher's Day (May 15), emphasizing intergenerational respect and family unity. The event holds special significance in 2025, as South Korea and Egypt mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 'Port Said, with its legacy as a global crossroads, was the perfect setting to host the Caravan,' said Oh Sung-ho, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt. 'We hope it contributes to strengthening cultural exchange and mutual understanding between our two countries. As we celebrate this milestone, we're committed to expanding programs that build bridges—through language, arts, and education.' Looking ahead, the Korean Cultural Center plans to expand the Culture Caravan to additional cities across Egypt, responding to the rising demand for Korean language learning and cultural engagement. Additional events marking the 30th anniversary are scheduled throughout the year. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
Rescuers Race to Save People and Treasures From South Korea Wildfires
South Korea's largest wildfires on record blazed through the country's southeast for a seventh day, with firefighters, soldiers and heritage workers racing to evacuate people and save ancient treasures from the encroaching flames. At least 37,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the fires, which have left 27 people dead, spread in the dry and windy weather. The fires had burned over 88,000 acres of land, the biggest on record in South Korea, according to the Interior Ministry. The largest blaze in Euiseong County was only about halfway contained on Thursday. Rescue crews were also focusing on saving as many relics and heritage buildings as possible after two 1,000-year-old Buddhist temples burned to the ground. Around two dozen buildings, trees, statues and other things with national heritage status have been lost to the flames so far, according to the Korea Heritage Service, the government body responsible for the conservation of national treasures and sites. A statue of a seated Buddha from the early 9th century that was reduced to ashes. And the base and branches of a 400-year-old tree considered the guardian of a local village was charred in the flames. The heritage service said it deployed around 750 people across the region to protect or remove what still remains. The southeastern region is home to a large proportion of the more than 4,000 items on the country's national heritage list. In the city of Andong, firefighters and officials worked to protect UNESCO Heritage sites as the inferno threatened to spread to those locations. In the 600-year-old Hahoe folk village, firefighters hosed buildings as helicopters dropped buckets of water from above. Workers relocated signage from the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy, a tourist attraction. While the government has successfully evacuated tens of thousands of residents across at least eight cities and counties, thousands of others have stayed behind. Many remained to protect their homes, businesses, livestock and pets. Local residents pleaded with firefighters to put out fires near their houses or restaurants. One Andong resident said he and his wife were at home when their house caught fire. They had tried, but failed, to stop the fire by dousing it with water and were forced to evacuate. But they wanted to stay close to their house to protect their 22 cows, which survived, so they have been sleeping inside their car since Tuesday. Earlier this week, strong winds kept helicopters and drones grounded, officials said. One pilot died when a helicopter crashed while fighting the fire, though officials have not disclosed the cause. Smoke and smog decreased road and air visibility, making driving and flying near impossible. The Interior Ministry said a lawn mower had started the first of the fires on Friday. Conditions had improved by Thursday, and over 100 helicopters were deployed to the missions, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. At least one U.S. military helicopter joined the effort, the government said. Emergency workers and residents are hoping the weather may turn in their favor, with light rain forecast for Thursday by the country's meteorological agency. Government officials said this would do little to help put out the fires but could weaken the further spread of the flames.
Euronews
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
South Korea wildfires become worst on record as death toll reaches 26
ADVERTISEMENT South Korea authorities are battling the country's worst-ever wildfires that have left 26 dead and destroyed over 300 structures, including ancient Buddhist temples. Among the dead is a pilot whose helicopter crashed in Uiseong whilst trying to control the flames. On Thursday, helicopters dumped water over the wildfires that have been raging across South Korea's southeastern regions since last Friday. The government has mobilised thousands of emergency responders and dozens of helicopters to tackle the blazes, but officials say their efforts are hampered by strong winds fanning the flares. Korea Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop said 'a small amount' — less than 5 millimetres — of rain was expected in the area on Thursday, but added it would likely not be enough to combat the infernos. The wildfires have so far burned through 88,980 acres of land in the country's southeast, with observers saying the figure is the worst of its kind in South Korea. The blazes have also injured 30 people — eight seriously — destroyed 325 buildings and forced 37,180 people to evacuate. Related Dozens dead and thousands evacuated in 'unprecedented' South Korea wildfires A temple built in the 7th century was among the buildings destroyed in Uiseong, with around 20 of the 30 structures at the Gounsa temple complex collapsing due to the fires. Among them were two state-designated 'treasures' — a pavilion-shaped building erected overlooking a stream in 1668, and a Joseon dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king. On Wednesday night, strong winds and smoke-filled skies forced authorities in the southeastern city of Andong to order evacuations in two villages, including Puncheon, home to the Hahoe folk village — a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around the 14th-15th century. 'Damages are snowballing,' acting President Han Duck-soo warned in a televised address on Wednesday. 'There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities on putting out the wildfires this week.' Authorities suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work.
NBC News
27-03-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
South Korea is in an uphill battle to contain massive wildfires as the death toll rises to 26
CHEONGSONG, South Korea — Helicopters dumped water over a burning forest in South Korea on Thursday as authorities struggled to contain the country's worst-ever wildfires, which have killed 26 people, forced at least 37,000 others to flee their homes and destroyed more than 300 structures. Multiple wildfires have been raging across South Korea's southeastern regions since last Friday. The government has mobilized thousands of people, dozens of helicopters and other equipment to extinguish the blazes, but officials said strong winds are hampering their efforts. Korea Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop said 'a small amount' — less than 0.2 inches — of rain was expected in the area on Thursday, not enough to play a meaningful role in extinguishing the wildfires. The fatalities include a pilot whose helicopter crashed during efforts to contain a fire and four firefighters and other workers who died after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds. Authorities have not disclosed details of the civilian dead, except that they are mostly in their 60s and 70s. They suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work. The wildfires have burned 88,980 acres of land in the southeast, the government's disaster response center said in a report Thursday. Observers say that is the worst figure of its kind in South Korea. The report said the blazes have also injured 30 people, eight of them seriously, destroyed 325 buildings and structures and forced more than 37,180 people to evacuate. As of Thursday morning, the center said authorities were mobilizing more than 9,000 people and about 120 helicopters to battle the wildfires. In Cheongsong, one of the fire-hit areas, thick plumes of smoke were billowing from Juwang Mountain. Helicopters repeatedly hovered over the mountain, dropping water. The amount of smoke later appeared to have diminished. At a Buddhist temple near the mountain, workers covered a stone pagoda and other structures with fire-resistant materials, while firefighters poured water on sites near the temple. 'Damages are snowballing,' acting President Han Duck-soo said in a televised address on Wednesday. 'There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities on putting out the wildfires this week.' The hardest-hit areas include Andong city and the neighboring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, and the city of Ulsan. On Wednesday night, strong winds and smoke-filled skies forced authorities in the southeastern city of Andong to order evacuations in two villages, including Puncheon, home to the Hahoe folk village — a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around the 14th-15th century. Hikers were advised to leave the scenic Jiri Mountain as another fire spread closer. Officials said earlier this week that firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in key areas, but wind and dry conditions allowed them to spread again. Destroyed in the blazes were houses, factories, vehicles and some historic structures. In Uiseong, about 20 of the 30 structures at the Gounsa temple complex, which was said to be originally built in the 7th century, have been burned. Among them were two state-designated 'treasures' — a pavilion-shaped building erected overlooking a stream in 1668, and a Joseon dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king. The Korea Forest Service has raised its wildfire warning to the highest level, requiring local governments to assign more workers to emergency response, tighten entry restrictions for forests and parks, and recommend that military units withhold live-fire exercises.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
South Korea wildfires spread to become biggest on record as death toll reaches 26
Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size in a day, as authorities on Thursday called the blazes the country's worst ever natural fire disaster with at least 26 people killed and historic temples incinerated. More than 33,000 hectares (81,500 acres) have been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires, which began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history. 'We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,' the acting president, Han Duck-soo, told a government response meeting. The military has released stocks of aviation fuel to help keep firefighting helicopters flying to douse flames across mountainous regions in the south-east of the country, where fires have been burning now for nearly a week. More than 300 structures had been destroyed, officials said. As of Thursday morning, authorities were mobilising more than 9,000 people and about 120 helicopters to battle the fires, the government's disaster response centre said. The country's disaster chief said the wildfires were now 'the largest on record', having burned more forest than any previous blazes. 'The wildfire is spreading rapidly,' Lee Han-kyung said. 'The forest damage has reached 35,810 hectares, already exceeding the area affected by the 2000 east coast wildfire, previously the largest on record, by more than 10,000 hectares.' The fatalities include a pilot whose helicopter crashed during efforts to contain a fire and four firefighters and other workers who died after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds. Authorities have not disclosed details of the civilian dead, except that they are mainly in their 60s and 70s. They suspect human error caused several of the wildfires that began last Friday, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work. The blazes were threatening two Unesco world heritage sites – Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian academy – in Andong city on Wednesday, a city official said, as authorities sprayed fire retardants to try to protect them. Andong and the neighbouring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, as well as the city of Ulsan, have been hardest hit. On Wednesday night, strong winds and smoke-filled skies forced authorities in Andong, in the south-east, to order evacuations in two villages, including Puncheon, home to the Hahoe folk village, founded around the 14th-15th century. Hikers were advised to leave the scenic Jiri mountain as another fire spread closer. The wildfires originated in Uiseong and have been moving rapidly eastward, spreading almost to the coast, carried by gusty winds and with dry conditions aggravating the situation. The meteorological agency has forecast some rain for the south-west but precipitation is expected to be under 5mm for most of the affected areas. 'The amount of rain is going to be small so it doesn't look like it'll be big help in trying to extinguish the fire,' said the Korea Forest Service minister, Lim Sang-seop. Officials said earlier this week that firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in key areas, but wind and dry conditions allowed them to spread again. Destroyed in the blazes were houses, factories, vehicles and some historic structures. In Uiseong, about 20 of the 30 structures at the Gounsa temple complex – which was said to be originally built in the 7th century – have been burned. Among them were two state-designated 'treasures' – a pavilion-shaped building erected overlooking a stream in 1668, and a Joseon dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king. The Korea Forest Service has raised its wildfire warning to the highest level, requiring local governments to assign more workers to emergency response, tighten entry restrictions for forests and parks and recommend that military units withhold live-fire exercises. Experts have said the Uiseong fire showed extremely unusual spread in terms of its scale and speed, and that climate change was expected to make wildfires more frequent and deadly globally. Higher temperatures amplified by human-caused climate change contributed to the existing seasonally dry conditions, 'turning dry landscapes into dangerous fire fuel' in the region, said the Climate Central group, an independent body made up of scientists and researchers. With Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse
