It is a pleasure to report the success of the recent 2006 Asian BU Festival. There has been an almost constant flow of positive messages as emails continue to arrive at BUAAK.
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| The consensus of the BU Asian alumni who took part in the Seoul event from September 22-24 is that it was something that they would like to see happen again!Why? The reasons are simple :
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In the warm autumn evening of September 22, about 30 BU alumni from China, Japan and Hong Kong arrived in Seoul and made their way to the Pre-Festival Dinner at the rooftop garden of Somerset Palace, a 19-story hotel. The anticipation of long-awaited meetings spiked the air with energy and excitement.Of course, the Korean BBQ was delicious and contributed to the festival atmosphere. The fun didn’t end after dinner; it was just relocated to the neighboring hotel where more talk and more music continued along with some dancing and singing. |
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| The next evening, nearly 180 BU alumni attendees gathered for a cocktail reception which marked the beginning of the official opening of the event.The reception area was resplendent with works of Korean BU alumni from the College of Fine Arts. |
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After a little more than an hour of mixing and mingling, everyone was invited in to dinner by Tamara Kowalska, our BU Alumni MC who is presently teaching English in Korea.Tamara and Young il Kim, a Korean Alum, were the perfect combination to host the evening.
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From the moment the opening speech was made by Mr. Young Jae Han, Chairman of BUAAK, everyone there was attentive, supportive and eager to participate.
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All of the overseas attendees were greeted warmly when they were invited to the stage to introduce themselves:Ms. Stella Chen, Mr. Jay Li, Mr. Fenghua Wang, and
Ms. Xia Wang from China; 30 Japanese alumni led by senior members, Mr. Shimada, Ms. Yamamoto, Mr. Kondo and Mr. Hashimoto; and Mr. Wayne Cheung, Mr. Lincoln Chan and Ms Juliana Kiang from Hong Kong. |
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| Ms. Patty Lam, Senior Director of University Development and Alumni Relations, BU flew from Boston to deliver congratulatory speeches, and present a plaque to Mr. Y J Han and Professor YSJang of BUAAK for their commitment and contribution to BUAAK |
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| The program was full of entertainment. Highlights included Ms. Yoon Joo Lee, a Korean Alum, who played the Kayakum, a Korean traditional stringed instrument. Also, the entire group of Japanese attendees performed ”Soran-Bushi”, a folk dance from Hokkaido that wishes fishermen their safe return home. |
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| It was hard to believe that the evening was coming to an end when the entire room, led by Korean alum, Ms Su Jung Cha, and Japanese alum, Mr. Shimada sang the Clarissima. |
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| Unfortunately several members were unable to attend. Mr. Chenang Chor from Singapore and Mr. Ophas Kanchanavijaya and Ms Somnual Laohaprasit from Thailand were sorely missed since they had to cancel their registrations at the last minute. |
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| Although President Robert Brown was unable to attend in person, he sent along a warm-hearted message that was appreciated by all at the event. |
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| Already, our Hong Kong alumni Association is preparing a proposal to host the second gathering.It seems that there is not much now that can keep us from getting together regularly.We all look forward to the chance to further strengthen the bonds made in Seoul. |
