Strathfield 설날축제

REMARKS BY CONSUL GENERAL PARK on OCCASION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR KOREAN FESTIVAL AT STRATHFIELD TOWN CENTRE

 NOON 20 FEBRUARY 2008

 

Today we are here to celebrate the Lunar New Year. 

 

The Lunar New Year is the most important event in the Asian Calendar.

 

It is celebrated by Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and many other Asian cultures as a time of happiness and family celebrations. 

 

I commend Strathfield Council for choosing to celebrate Korean culture as part of its Lunar New Year celebrations in Strathfield Town Centre. 

 

In addition, I would like to thank the
Strathfield Korean Business Association and the Austral-Korea Culture Foundation for their efforts in promoting the Korean community’s culture and businesses in Australia. 

 

Strathfield is an important place for Koreans and Korean-Australians. 

 

It is a social and business centre for the community and it is increasing in its vibrancy.

 

Strathfield is the first city in Australia to focus on the traditional Korean way of  celebrating the Lunar New Year.

 

It is the Korean community’s honour to welcome everyone to the Strathfield Town Centre to celebrate.

 

Today, at the festival we have many excellent performers – singers and dancers, both modern and traditional.

 

There will be exciting displays of tae kwon do and traditional Korean new year treats to enjoy.

 

These foods and performances enrich and stimulate society and contribute to making our society vital and creative.

 

Strathfield Town Centre is also flourishing with Korean businesses.

 

The large number of successful businesses run by Koreans and Korean-Australians in this area is contributing to Strathfield City becoming a very distinctive area with much to offer, because Koreans are very hard working and diligent people.

 

These businesses draw in new customers and this in turn creates more business activity, as more people travel to the area to eat and to shop.

 

I am sure that Korean people have made a positive contribution to the development of  Strathfield because they have created new interests and new services for the people of the community here.

 

This year is the Year of the Rat, which is known for its fertility and propagation power and this symbolises great prosperity.

 

I wish that Strathfield City may prosper in this Year of the Rat.

 

Strathfield is the first city in Australia to give consideration to building a Korean Garden.

 

Although the garden is still in its initial stages of planning and consideration, I sincerely wish for its success.

 

Such a garden will reflect the culture and heritage of the Korean way of life.

 

It would encourage everyone to experience and explore, and thereby acquire some knowledge and understanding of the Korean community.

 

When it is built, I think it will be a symbol of the happiness of Korean-Australians in being able to enjoy some of the finest aspects of their traditional culture in their new home of Australia.

 

Certainly it will enrich the multicultural character of Australia.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

Let’s all enjoy all the excellent food and wonderful performances today, and let’s continue to hold this event every year.

 

Let’s make the city of Strathfield a beacon of harmony and friendship for other towns and cities to look to for inspiration.

 

Let’s make the city of Strathfield the most vibrant and culturally-enriched city in Australia.

 

With my sincere wishes I would like to thank Strathfield Council once again for holding this Lunar New Year Festival, and thank all of you for attending today.

 

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.

 

Thank you.