On the occasion of the 2007 Spain National Day, Spanish Ambassador Delfin Colome and Mrs. Elena de Colome threw a lunchen party on October 12 at downtown Lotte Hotel Seoul. Ambassador Colome was not able to attend the reception. Instead, Mr. Francisco de Asis Benitez, Deputy Head of Mission and Mrs. Elena de Colome greeted guests including the Seoul diplomatic corps. New dean of the Seoul diplomatic corps Uzbek Ambassador Vitali V. Fen, Russia Ambassador Gleb A. Ivashentsov were on hand including a number of the Seoul diplomatic corps friends. Separately from Spain National Day function, Spanish Business Delegation Welcoming Dinner was held under the joint auspices of KITA (Korea International Trade Association) and the Embassy of Spain in Seoul. KITA chairman & CEO Lee Hee-beom who was on hand, said: "As the two countries are similar in terms of their economic scale with the eighth rank's economic power in the case of Spain and with the twelfth rank's economic power in the case of Korea globally respectively, there are many fields to cooperate each other."
Germany's political, economical, and cultural diversity and vitality
The Day of German Unity function this year was decorated centering on Frankfurt Rhein Main region at Germany Amb's residence in Sungbuk-dong, Seoul, differently from last year's large-sized reception at the Seoul Millennium Hilton. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany has been intensively introducing selected region by teaming up with German entrepreneurs who came from that region in the hopes of introducing Germany's political, economical, and cultural diversity and vitality. Germany Ambassador Norbert Bass said: "Frankfurt Rhein Main region is famous for its history of fighting for human rights, citizenry's rights, democracy and freedom."
Unusual larger Austria's standing than ever
Following last year, Austrian National Day reception was held at the Millennium Seoul Hilton Grand Ballroom. Scores of Austriarelated companies including ENGEL, AVL Korea enabled the reception to be held by their sponsor and the Embassy of Austria in the Republic of Korea was able to show off an unusual larger Austria's standing than any other years one after another. The friendly assistance companies further included SUMIR WINE, WILDALP, BMW, RZB, SWAROVSKI, TOFIC, Doppelmayr, Zipfer, Sung Shin New Material Co., Ltd, Boesendorfer, Panarium Bakery, Rauch Fruchtsaefte. As usual years, Mr. and Mrs. Lim Byoung-mun, Austria Honorary Consul in Pusan as well as Austrian Commercial Office's Counsellor Mag. Werner Somweber and Mrs. Imelda Somweber were on hand.
Double Tenth Day observed
On the occasion of its Double Tenth Day on October 10, 2007, The Taipei Mission in Korea held a cocktail party on the same day at the Hotel Shilla. To end the 15 years of political apartheid caused by the United Nation's continued rejection of Taiwan's membership bid, both the Taiwan government and its people voiced support for holding a referendum on entering the organization under the name "Taiwan" in a rally held Sept. 15 in Kaohsiung, the island's second biggest city, according to The Taipei Mission in Korea.
15th diplomatic ties anniversary between Korea and Kazakhstan
To commemorate bilateral 15th diplomatic ties anniversary between Korea and Kazakhstan, The Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul held an opera gala concert at the Seoul Arts Center. A number of famous arias were sung by both Korean and Kazakhstan tenors and sopranos. From the Seoul diplomatic corps, Spanish Ambassador Delfin Colome and Finnish Ambassador Kim Luotonen were on hand.
Hugely popular Oktoberfest celebration at Grand Hilton Seoul
Internationally renowned German band Munchner Zwietracht performed at the Grand Hilton Seoul's hugely popular Oktoberfest celebration at Grand Hilton Seoul on October 19-20 this year. Germany Ambassador Norbert Baas and Grand Hilton General Manager Brender who were on hand, mixed with guests while making speeches separately. The seven-member festival band headlined the Grand Hilton Seoul 2007 Oktoberfest, which also featured unlimited beer, fun games, fabulous food and great prizes. Widely regarded as the ultimate Oktoberfest band, Munchner Zwietracht played all the beer festival classics, ensuring an authentic and lively German atmosphere throughout the evening.
Christmas Tree, ever-popular Christmas Train
Get ready to usher in the Christmas spirit and Yuletide joy! The Millennium Seoul Hilton will unveil its Christmas Tree and ever-popular Christmas Train at a festive opening ceremony on Sunday, November 25. This event has become a popular and much anticipated holiday tradition with both the local and international community. Now in its twelfth year, the Christmas festivities at the Millennium Seoul Hilton will include the lighting of a grand 10-meter Christmas Tree placed in the center of the main lobby.
Competition among financial centers in the Asia-Pacific
The 2007 PECC International Conference was held over two days on October 15th~16th at the Westin Chosun under the theme, "Competition among financial centers in the Asia- Pacific: Prospects, Benefits, and Costs-Stumbling Blocks or Building Blocks Towards a Regional Financial Community" Dr. Yang Soogil, Chair, KOPEC said: "This Conference became a meaningful event as the first-ever comparative discussion of the national policies of several regional ecomomies to develop or enhance their national financial centers as competitive international financial centers."
Asia's greatest knowledge festival, the 8th World Knowledge Forum
World's most renowned experts from various fields participated in Asia's greatest knowledge festival, the 8th World Knowledge Forum, held between October 17 and 18. Starting with the Opening Ceremony on October 17, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Tom Peters Company Chairman Tom Peters, Second Life CEO Philip Rosedale and other internationally distinguished speakers gave special lectures.
