ARTICLE
On March 22, 2018 an official delegation from Bucheon City, South Korea visited Pearl S. Buck International for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for future collaboration and cultural exchange between the city and the organization. Bucheon City was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2017, the first in Asia and the 21st in the world. During her lifetime, Pearl S. Buck made important contributions to Bucheon City, which today hosts an annual festival in her honor. The Pearl S. Buck Memorial Hall now stands on the former site of her orphanage for war orphans and mixed-race orphans. The day included a visit to Pearl S. Buck’s grave followed by a tour of the Pearl S. Buck House led by docents Sandra Weikel and Cindy Louden. Bucks County Commissioner, Robert G. Loughery, and Julie Henning, who was raised by Pearl S. Buck, joined the group. The group moved on to the Cultural Center where Janet L. Mintzer, the President and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International, and the Vice Mayor of Bucheon City, You-myun Song, signed the memorandum of understanding and exchanged gifts. Timothy Kwon, Executive Director of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, served as a translator for the day. Following a catered lunch provided by Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering, the Korean delegation moved on to Doylestown where they received a personal tour of the Mercer Museum by its director, Kyle McCoy, and a personal tour of the Michener Museum by its director, Barbara Donnelly Bentivoglio. These museums along with the Pearl S. Buck House are important cultural sites in Pennsylvania. The Korean delegation included: Mr. You-myun Song, Deputy Mayor, Supervising General Affairs of Bucheon City, South Korea Mr. Ju-hyoung Lee, Director, Culture & Art Division, Bucheon City, Supervising General Affairs of Culture & Art, South Korea Mr. Gyeong-ho Song, Head of Religious Team, Culture & Art Div., Bucheon City, Supervising General Affairs of Museums, South Korea Mr. Min-ho Lee, Staff in Charge of Museum Affairs, Culture & Art Div., Bucheon City, South Korea Mr. Yoon-su Bae, Executive Director, Head of Art Supporting Div., Bucheon Culture Foundation (a city-established culture organization which runs museums in Bucheon City), South Korea Ms. Mi-hyun Jung, Head of Curator Div., Bucheon Culture Foundation (assigned to Pearl S. Buck Memorial Hall, In charge of general affairs of museums of Bucheon City) Mr. Timothy Kwon, Executive Director of Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, South Korea The Korean delegation led by You-myun Song: Timothy Kwon, Executive Director of Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, South Korea; Janet L. Mintzer, President & CEO of Pearl S. Buck International; Bucks County Commissioner, Robert G. Loughery; and Julie Henning, who was raised by Pearl S. Buck at the Pearl S. Buck House.
On March 22, 2018 an official delegation from Bucheon City, South Korea visited Pearl S. Buck International for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for future collaboration and cultural exchange between the city and the organization.
Bucheon City was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2017, the first in Asia and the 21st in the world. During her lifetime, Pearl S. Buck made important contributions to Bucheon City, which today hosts an annual festival in her honor. The Pearl S. Buck Memorial Hall now stands on the former site of her orphanage for war orphans and mixed-race orphans.
The day included a visit to Pearl S. Buck’s grave followed by a tour of the Pearl S. Buck House led by docents Sandra Weikel and Cindy Louden. Bucks County Commissioner, Robert G. Loughery, and Julie Henning, who was raised by Pearl S. Buck, joined the group. The group moved on to the Cultural Center where Janet L. Mintzer, the President and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International, and the Vice Mayor of Bucheon City, You-myun Song, signed the memorandum of understanding and exchanged gifts. Timothy Kwon, Executive Director of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, served as a translator for the day. Following a catered lunch provided by Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering, the Korean delegation moved on to Doylestown where they received a personal tour of the Mercer Museum by its director, Kyle McCoy, and a personal tour of the Michener Museum by its director, Barbara Donnelly Bentivoglio. These museums along with the Pearl S. Buck House are important cultural sites in Pennsylvania.
The Korean delegation included:
The Korean delegation led by You-myun Song: Timothy Kwon, Executive Director of Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, South Korea; Janet L. Mintzer, President & CEO of Pearl S. Buck International; Bucks County Commissioner, Robert G. Loughery; and Julie Henning, who was raised by Pearl S. Buck at the Pearl S. Buck House.