Significant Increase in Sister and Friendly Cooperative Cities in the 8th Elected Term (37 to 51 Cities), Remodeling for Efficient Exhibition
Over 350 Historical City Diplomacy Souvenirs Held ... Open to Public on Weekdays Without Reservation
Busan City has completed the remodeling of the International Exchange Promotion Center located on the first floor of City Hall and fully reopened it starting from the 29th.
The International Exchange Promotion Center was opened in February 2013 to promote Busan’s achievements in city diplomacy. It exhibits various souvenirs received from sister and friendship cooperative cities through international exchange activities and is also used as a global cultural experience space.
The center has established itself as a space visited by tens of thousands of people annually, including domestic and foreign VIPs visiting the city, citizens, and international students.
Last year, along with the relocation of the Job Comprehensive Center and the rearrangement of the first-floor space of City Hall, remodeling was carried out to efficiently display the increased number of souvenirs due to the significant increase in sister and friendship cooperative cities during the 8th elected administration (from 37 to 51 cities).
To allow citizens to easily see Busan’s elevated status in city diplomacy at a glance, the current status and videos of sister and friendship cooperative cities were added, and English labeling was included so that foreign tourists and international students can also easily understand.
The collection of over 350 exhibits consists of diverse souvenirs showing the unique traditions and cultures of sister and friendship cooperative cities, including traditional crafts, traditional costumes, traditional musical instruments, ceramics, and sculptures received from 51 sister and friendship cooperative cities in 41 countries.
By region, there are about 240 exhibits related to the Asia-Pacific region, the largest number, with about 90 items related to Japan and China making up the majority. Exhibits related to the Americas, Europe, and Africa total about 110 items, allowing visitors to see a variety of souvenirs from around the world at a glance.
The center is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch), and anyone can visit without a separate reservation.
Visitors can receive guidance on the exhibits from staff. Group visits are also possible with prior reservation by phone.
Park Geun-rok, Director of the Tourism and MICE Bureau, said, “The International Exchange Promotion Center is a symbolic space where you can feel Busan’s achievements in city diplomacy and the history and culture of 51 sister and friendship cooperative cities. We hope many Busan citizens and foreign tourists visit and experience the elevated status of ‘Global Hub City Busan’ together.”
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