May 21, 2009 (WAM)--Members of visiting UAE National Folklore Band were greeted with big cheers and admiration when they performed at the Seoul English Village in downtown Seoul on May 20. More than 450 students and their teachers watched the cultural performance with curiosity first but soon later mingled with members of folklore troupe singing and dancing with hands in hands as if it was a festival. Mrs. Al-Maaina, wife of UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Al-Maaina officially became the mayor of the Village on Dec. 19, 2008 and more than 450 students are enrolled with the English Village. On the first day of its performance in Korea on May 19 at the National Theatre of Korea, the 33-man UAE National Folklore Band captivated 1,500 plus Korean audience with exotic music and dancing.

The event was part of cultural exchange programmes between Korea and the Arab World organised by the Korea-Arab Society which was inaugurated in 2007 with over 300 high profile government personalities, Korean officials and businessmen as well as Arab government officials and businessmen from 22 Arab countries taking an active part. In a speech Mrs. Al-Maaina thanked all the guests for coming. She also expressed hope that such a cultural exchange programme between Korea and UAE will further promote better understanding of the two people, particularly among young generation of the two countries.

Established in 2004 the Seoul English Village for which Mrs. Al-Maaina serves as mayor is aimed at helping local Korean students with practical experiences in English language. They can go through all the real-life experiences within the village where only English is spoken