Seoul in the City: Manhattan’s Korean Cultural Center Unveils New York’s First Traditional Korean Park
‘Aeyangdan (愛陽檀)’ completed on the 2nd floor of Koreatown’s new building.
Korean flowers, wells… Created with inspiration from Soswaewon Garden in Jeollanam-do
The Korean Cultural Center of New York (Director Kim Cheon-soo, second from left) created a traditional Korean garden, ‘Aeyangdan’, on the terrace of the second floor of the new building with the support of Jeollanam-do, Korea, and held a completion ceremony on the 25th. Artist Hwang Ji-hae (right), South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Young-rok (third from left), and other officials are looking around the garden.
On the 25th, the Korean Cultural Center of New York (hereinafter referred to as the Cultural Center) held the completion ceremony for the second-floor garden ‘Aeyangdan (愛陽檀, Sun-loving Wall)’ of the new building in Manhattan’s Koreatown (122 E. 32 Street).
The completion ceremony was attended by Director Kim Cheon-soo, New York Consul General Kim Eui-hwan, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Young-rok, and garden designer Hwang Ji-hae.
The garden was created after Director Kim suggested it to Governor Kim last January. According to the Cultural Center, the budget required is 1 billion Korean won (approximately 720,000 dollars as of today), which is 100% of the Jeollanam-do budget, and was commissioned by the Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Center. In addition, the basic concept and detailed design began last July, and a field survey was conducted from August 12th to 17th. Construction began last September and completion was completed on the 22nd of this month, and the first public opening began on the 26th.
The garden was inspired by Soswaewon in Jeollanam-do, and was created with ▶ at least 100 species, including Manbyeongcho, a native Korean tree, ▶ at least 500 plants, and ▶ salt pots and wells to add simplicity. The fence was built with traditional Korean tiles by a Korean cultural heritage engineer. According to the Cultural Center, designer Hwang won the Gold Award at the Chelsea Flower Show in England three times.
Director Kim said, “The roof tile has ‘Eulmi Year (乙未年, 1895)’ written on it, and the roof tile was airlifted from Jeollanam-do.”
Governor Kim said, “Seeing the garden created on a piece of land in Manhattan makes me feel like I’m back in my hometown.” He added, “Korean gardens, filled with philosophy where nature and humans come together, are the origins of Japanese gardens. He said, “It is meaningful that we have shown our true colors.”
Consul General Kim said, “The cultural center does not have any budget for its opening,” and “Director Kim is leading it with patriotism.” “I am thrilled that Governor Kim provided support worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said.
Text and photo = Reporter Kang Min-hye