First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Deepens Cultural Ties with Brazilian First Lady: "Ganggangsullae Resembles Brazilian Festivals"

Attending a Brazilian Traditional Festival Exhibition Together:
A Shared Cultural Understanding of Community and Unity

Janja: "Growing Interest in the Korean Language in Brazil"
Kim: "A Valuable Opportunity to Connect Our Two Countries"

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is currently accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on a state visit to Brazil, and Janja Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Lula, attended an art exhibition themed on Brazilian traditional festivals on the 27th (local time). During the visit, they discussed the cultural similarities between the two countries and explored ways to expand exchanges.

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is on a state visit to Brazil with President Lee Jae-myung, visited the art gallery of the Federal Court of Accounts in Brasilia on the 27th (local time) along with Rosangela Da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Lula, and took commemorative photos in front of the exhibited artworks. 2026.7.28 Yonhap News Agency
Photo by Yonhap

According to Deputy Spokesperson An Gui-ryeong of the presidential office, Kim and Janja visited the Cultural Center of the Federal Court of Accounts in Brasilia that morning and viewed the exhibition "Festival of Light: Popular Festivals and Brazilian Art" together. Established in 2003, this cultural center is a space that demonstrates cultural openness within Brazilian public institutions through exhibitions, educational programs, and workshops.

Kim stated, "I vividly remember touring traditional markets and cultural facilities in Korea with you last February and introducing you to Korean culture," adding, "Today, I am very much looking forward to experiencing Brazilian culture firsthand." Janja replied, "I am very pleased to share Brazil's culture and traditions," and expressed hope that this visit would deepen the friendship between the two nations.

The exhibition showcased works inspired by "Festa Junina" and "Festa Julina," events held annually across Brazil in June and July. These festivals originate from Catholic saints' days and rural harvest traditions, with families and neighbors sharing food, and songs and dances that strengthen community ties.

The two first ladies also visited an experiential area recreated as a "terreiro"—an outdoor festival courtyard from northeastern Brazil—adorned with colorful flags, bonfire lighting, and the scent of cinnamon. When Janja explained that "during the festival, people gather around bonfires to sing, dance, and celebrate the joy of the harvest," Kim responded, "Korea also has a harvest festival called Chuseok, during which families and neighbors share food and give thanks for abundance."

Kim especially noted, "During Chuseok, people form a circle and enjoy the traditional ‘Ganggangsullae’ dance, which expresses unity of hearts, similar to how Brazilian festival culture brings people together."

When both saw hot air balloon-shaped paper lanterns, they agreed that similar sentiments are embedded in the practice of sending wish-carrying lanterns into the sky in both cultures. Kim introduced Korea’s tradition of sky lanterns, and in front of artworks created by recycling discarded materials, she recalled the exhibition they had attended together last February at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art.

Kim praised the vibrant colors of Brazilian artworks, saying, "The distinct yet warm hues remind me of Korean dancheong (traditional decorative coloring on wooden buildings) or minhwa (folk painting)." The two agreed that, despite coming from different cultural backgrounds, their countries' artistic expressions of nature and community have much in common.

To commemorate the visit, the cultural center presented the two first ladies with fabric brooches embroidered with symbols representing both nations. Kim received a brooch featuring Brazilian paper lanterns and the country's traditional hat; Janja received one with a Korean gat (traditional hat) and fan pattern.

The two also discussed the growing popularity of Korean culture, including Hallyu, and interest in the Korean language within Brazil. Janja noted, "With the rising popularity of Korean culture such as K-dramas in Brazil, more people are learning Korean," introducing that the University of Sao Paulo now has a Department of Korean Language and Literature. She also shared an anecdote about speaking with children studying Korean in the Amazon region. Kim remarked, "Hearing that there are children learning Korean in the Amazon makes me truly feel that the world is coming closer together."

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is on a state visit to Brazil with President Lee Jae-myung, visited the Federal Court of Accounts Art Gallery in Brasilia on the 27th (local time) together with Hozangela da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Lula. They took a commemorative photo in front of the exhibited artwork. July 28, 2026, Yonhap News Agency. Photo by Yonhap News Agency.

After the exhibition, the two first ladies sampled Brazilian traditional dishes made with corn and exchanged stories about the food cultures of both countries. Kim remarked, "Although Korea and Brazil have different histories and traditions, I feel deeply that both peoples share a gratitude for nature's bounty and a joy in sharing with their neighbors. I hope such cultural empathy will become a precious opportunity to bring our countries even closer together."

Janja commented, "I hope cultural exchanges like today’s will continue so that our countries may better understand each other," and expressed her wish that Kim will visit Brazil again to experience the Amazon and Carnival.

Both agreed that culture serves as a bridge connecting Korea and Brazil, and, according to Deputy Spokesperson An, concluded the day's schedule with hopes that this state visit will further deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.