On Nov 30, Merck had a rather unusual press conference to release a new 2010 calendar based on paintings of the Korean artist Oh In-soon. Her western-style paintings with vibrant colors captured the heart of Merck Korea's president Juer gen Koenig. After months of planning and collaborative work, Merck has produced a calendar with the company’s advanced color technology. Merck will distribute thousands of calendars to 60 different countries through their network to promote Korean arts.
Koenig explained, “Germany and Korea have many similarities. One of them is a creativity which brings Korea and Germany together. Merck is primarily interested in innovation not money,” he emphasized, “The reason we have chosen Ms. Oh’s paintings is to show dynamic Korea with emotions. Korea is viewed as a fast moving country with economic success, but Korea has a lot more to offer such as beautiful landscape, wonderful people and dynamic culture.”
Merck is a customer-centric company who has supported education, health, and environment in Korea. Through the event, Merck took a big step to promote dynamic Korean culture to the world. The creativity doesn’t only exist in technology. The creative art is another way to connect people and that is what brings two different cultures together.
Dr. Hans Ulrich Seidt, the ambassador of Germany, attended this pressconference also and said, "What brings Germany and Korea together One aspect that is important is creativity. In German side, Merck is a very innovative and creative company. This company is never known for primary interested in money, but their primary interest lies on science, innovation, and well-being of mankind especially pharmaseutical is concerned."
Ambassador Seidt also mentioned that the calendar represents the link of art and culture of East and West and that how thrilled he is to see this symbol of Korea Germany unity, the calendar, will spent the next year with many people. "This ceremony is very important in Germany and Korean relationship and partnership. Germany and Korea had 12 years of history since the first day of collaboration. This means that today's ideas well become far back in history."
Merck has so far extended its support to the scientific community in Korea by establishing awards to encourage promising researchers in fields of liquid crystal and bio technology, and giving scholarships to medical students.
With the start of the 2010 calendar, Merck said it will keep efforts to discover Korean artists and promote them around the world.
