The Korea-Germany Association announced on the 21st that Professor Emeritus Jang Hye-won of Ewha Womans University has been selected as the recipient of the 12th Imiryuk Award. [Photo by Korea-Germany Association]
[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The Korea-Germany Association announced on the 21st that it has selected Professor Emerita Jang Hye-won of Ewha Womans University, a first-generation Korean female pianist, as the recipient of the 12th Imreuk Award. Professor Jang was recognized for her contributions to promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between Korea and Germany through music.
The Imreuk Award was established in 1999 by the Korea-Germany Association and the German-Korean Association to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dr. Imreuk's birth. It is awarded alternately each year to individuals who have contributed to enhancing cultural exchanges between Korea and Germany. Dr. Imreuk (1899?1950) was a writer who fled to Germany in 1920 during the Japanese colonial period and was recognized in the German literary world for works such as the novel "The Amnok River Flows."
Professor Jang is known as the godmother of the Korean piano world. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ewha Womans University College of Music and, in 1968, became the first Korean to receive the Konzertexamen, the highest performance degree from the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany. Since then, she has built her reputation by performing solo recitals and collaborating with world-renowned masters both domestically and internationally, greatly contributing to cultural and artistic exchanges between Korea and Germany through music. In 2010, she was awarded the Cross of Merit by the German government in recognition of her efforts to revitalize Korea-Germany musical exchanges and her outstanding reputation in the global recording industry.
Professor Jang served as a professor at Ewha Womans University for over 36 years, holding positions such as dean of the College of Music and director of the Music Research Institute, nurturing many students. In 1991, she founded the Korean Piano Society, contributing not only to the development of the Korean piano community but also maintaining exchanges with musicians worldwide. She currently continues her activities as Professor Emerita at Ewha Womans University, chairperson of the Korean Piano Society, and representative of the Iwon Cultural Center.
Kim Young-jin, president of the Korea-Germany Association and HanDok, said, “We are pleased to present this award to Professor Jang Hye-won, who has worked hard to promote Korea to the world through music and enhance exchanges between Korea and Germany.” He added, “Since art can transcend borders and give people dreams and hope, we expect Professor Jang’s activities to be a great source of strength for many people emerging from the long tunnel of COVID-19.”
The 12th Imreuk Award ceremony will be held on the 21st at the German Cultural Center in Korea.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
