“Africa is rising — this is no overstatement,” Oh said. “African music resonates across the world, African dance captivates global audiences, and African voices shape our imagination. All of this traces back to one origin: Africa.”

Oh emphasized that while Korea and Africa are geographically distant, distance should never limit partnership or curiosity.

“Korea should know more about Africa, and Africa should know more about Korea,” he said. “Africa is more than a destination for Korean exports, and Korea is more than an investor in Africa. We are meant to be partners, friends in need and friends.”

Oh said he was speaking not only as a co-host of Africa Week but also to express his personal commitment to fostering deeper and more sustainable ties between Korea and Africa through cultural exchanges and dialogue.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Korea Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa echoed those sentiments, describing Africa Week as more than a cultural festival and calling it an invitation to discover Africa’s diversity, creativity and shared humanity.

He expressed appreciation to the Korea-Africa Foundation and The Korea Times, the event’s co-organizers and sponsors, for their continued efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges between Africa and Korea.

“Culture remains the strongest and most enduring bridge between nations,” he said, adding that sustainable development is strongest when built on solid cultural foundations.

A highlight of the event was the first-ever performance in Korea by the Gakondo Cultural Arts team from Rwanda, led by renowned Rwandan producer Mizi, who traveled from Kigali to Seoul for the occasion. The performance marked a historic moment for cultural exchange in Korea.

“Rwandan traditional dance is more than a performance,” Bakuramutsa said. “It is a living expression of history, values and identity, passed from generation to generation through rhythm and movement.”

He said the dance tells stories of community, resilience and harmony, reflecting values shared by both Rwandan and Korean societies. Despite their geographical distance, he noted, the two countries share a deep respect for heritage, tradition and the wisdom of the past.

“This evening, Rwanda and Korea meet not through policy or statistics, but through the universal language of culture — a language that transcends borders and generations,” he said.

This year’s Africa Week featured a wide range of cultural programs, including live music performances, participatory dance sessions, literary discussions and workshops on sustainability.

Rwandan artists visiting Korea performed traditional music known as Gakondo, while Korean ensemble Roots Djemcol delivered interactive performances that blended West African Manding percussion — including djembe and dundun drums — with dance and contemporary musical elements. Audience members were invited to take part, emphasizing cultural exchange and shared experience.

The event also held a book talk on “Africa Through Stories: South Africa Edition,” published this year by the Korea-Africa Foundation, exploring the nation’s history of reconciliation, cooperation with Korea, and its cultural and natural environment. A revised edition titled “Rainbow Nation, South Africa,” was released after the country hosted the G20 summit in November, the first time an African nation chaired the forum.

Sustainability emerged as another central theme of this year’s Africa Week. Visitors took part in a workshop introducing environmentally friendly practices and showing how everyday waste can be repurposed into useful products, reflecting growing interest in sustainability in both Korea and Africa.

Organizers said 2025 Africa Week was designed to offer a balanced and multidimensional cultural experience, deepening public appreciation of Africa’s diverse and dynamic cultures while underscoring the role of cultural exchange in fostering long-term cooperation. They added that the event will continue as a platform for dialogue, creativity and mutual understanding, bringing people closer through shared cultural experiences.