[Traditional Korean fan dance. Photo Credit: Pixabay]

Koryoin in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Association of Koreans in Kazakhstan (AKK) and the 30th anniversary of the Mison dance ensemble on October 5, 2024.

The event took place in the Arai Restaurant in Astana. 

Koryoin, or Koryo-saram, refers to the Korean diaspora in former-Soviet Union countries in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan has the third largest population of Koryo-saram after Uzbekistan and Russia. 

Although they have been away from their homeland for multiple generations, many Koryoin have managed to preserve their ancestors’ culture.

In recent years, the newer generation of Koryoins have demonstrated a growing interest in reconnecting with their Korean heritage. 

Though Korean culture remains alive in Soviet-Korean communities, most Koryoin cannot speak Korean or Koryo-mar, the Russian-influenced Korean that evolved in Soviet countries. 

Korean immigrants who escaped to Russia during the Japanese invasion faced forced relocation to Central Asia, where they were prohibited from using Korean names or speaking the Korean language. 

Despite intermarriage, time, and growing association with their Central Asian identity leading Korean and Koryo-mar to face the brink of extinction in Koyroin communities, Kazakhstan-Koreans institutions, and recently the Korean government, have managed to keep the presence of Korea and its culture alive through their many efforts. 

One of the ways that Koryoin celebrate their heritage is by hosting or attending events related to Korea and their identity as overseas Koreans. 

The 35th AKK anniversary celebration featured traditional activities and performances celebrating Korean heritage.

Performances of samulnori and other types of gugak (traditional Korean music) instruments were part of the program.

Attendees were given the opportunity to listen to arranged compositions of “Fly to the Sky” and “Holo Arirang.” 

Baritone Moon Young Jae and soprano Shim Min Jo presented beautiful renditions of “Based on Time”, “River of My Feelings”, and “Gyeongbokgung Taryeong.”  

The event included a performance by the traditional Korean dance ensemble “Mison,” which was celebrating its 30th anniversary.

“The Korean center around Kazakhstan has a big history that we have an honour to continue,” said Madina Temirkhan, press secretary of the ethno-cultural association of Koreans in Astana. 

“It was [a] very inspiring thing that I realized through the people’s words and everyone’s happy faces that we’re proud of… passing this long way together.” 

Temirkhan added that she enjoyed the event “because of the family atmosphere and the very exciting program.” 

Notable guests included Vera Kim, a member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Yuriy Shin, Chairman of the Association of Koreans of Kazakhstan; and Konstantin Kim, editor-in-chief of the Kore Ilbo, a Koryoin newspaper in Kazakhstan.

“The people with whom we celebrated this day were very important because we’ll continue the work of our Korean center in the future,” Termirkhan said.