The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic has awarded Busan International Film Festival in Korea the Artis Bohemiae Amicis Medal. The ceremony was held January 23^rd, at the Busan Cinema Center with Alena Hanáková, the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Jaroslav Olša, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Rep. of Korea, and Helena Franková, director of the Department of Media and Audiovision, Ministry of Culture.

Busan International Film Festival hosted special screenings of Czech cinema during its 15^th edition, in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. In recognition of Busan International Film Festival’s contribution to cultural exchange, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic has decided to award BIFF, Artis Bohemiae Amicis. Busan International Film Festival is the first Korean recipient of Artis Bohemiae Amicis.

For the ceremony, Alena Hanáková, the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic personally came to Busan to deliver the Medal herself. In her first visit to Korea, Hanáková expressed the excitement of visiting Busan explaining that Busan International Film Festival was an important outlet that introduced diverse Czech cinema to the Korean audience. She also showed her expectation for the continuous cultural exchange of Czech cinema as well as Czech culture in Korea. Busan International Film Festival director Lee Yong-kwan received the Medal on behalf of the Festival and stated that it is an honor to be the first Korean institution to receive Artis Bohemiae Amicis.

Artis Bohemiae Amicis is awarded to individuals or institutions in recognition of significant contributions to the promotion of the positive reputation of the Czech cultural heritage at home and abroad. Previous recipients include Garrick Ohlsson (USA, Pianist), Herbert Lom (UK, Actor), Juan Eduardo Fleming (Argentina, Ambassador), and Kawamoto Kihachiró (Japan, Animation director).

This news item was first published on film.culture360.org