Relevant units recently unveiled a sculpture gifted by Namyangju City, located in the northwest of South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue, in central Vietnam. The unveiling of the sculpture marks the culmination of a months-long endeavor to bring the gift into Hue City.
The statue called “Greeting Man” was presented by Namyangju governor Cho Kwang Han in 2019 in honor of the friendship and cooperation established between the two cities, but it only arrived in Hue recently.
Greeting Man is an eye-catching aluminum statue of a blue, naked man bowing in a traditional Asian greeting gesture. Standing at a height of 3 feet, the statue is sure to draw attention with its vivid colors and distinctive pose. Crafted with intricate attention to detail, the statue is a perfect representation of the traditional greeting culture of Asia. It is sure to add a unique touch to any room or exterior space that it is placed in.
A naked figure symbolizes the absence of prejudice, and blue stands for a lack of racial discrimination, while the statue as a whole embodies the values of meeting, honoring, admiring, reconciling, and fostering peace.
Compared to the original design by renowned South Korean sculptor Yoo Young-ho, who is 52 years of age, the sculpture was shortened from a towering six meters to two meters, in order to comply with the request of the Hue city authorities to preserve the cityscape from an overly tall structure.
After prolonged discussions, administrators in Hue decided to install the statue in 3-2 Park on the south bank of the city’s iconic Huong (Perfume) River, where several buildings constructed with South Korean backing are situated. This decision was made in order to commemorate the collaboration between the two countries and to commemorate the special bond shared between the two nations.
Vietnam is not the only country outside South Korea to receive the modern sculpture project ‘Greeting Man’. It is the first to have it installed, however, marking a milestone in the project’s global reach.
The statue, created by the Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry, stands 11 meters (36 feet) high and is made of white marble. It depicts a man with his arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture.
In October 2012, the Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry unveiled an impressive 11-meter-tall (36-feet) ‘Greeting Man’ statue in the neighborhood of Buceo, Montevideo, Uruguay. The majestic white marble sculpture, which features a man with his arms outstretched in a gesture of welcome, is part of a planned series of such artworks in multiple locations around the world.
The first statue, which was erected in Mexico City, Mexico in 2015, was dedicated to the people and culture of Latin America. The second statue, in Panama City, was dedicated to the Panamanian people and their history. It was constructed with the help of local artisans, and its design was chosen to reflect the country’s unique identity. The statue stands 12 feet tall and is made of bronze and concrete. It depicts a woman holding a basket of flowers, which symbolizes the beauty and vibrancy of the Panamanian people. The statue serves as a reminder of the country’s rich history and culture, and it stands as a symbol of hope for a brighter future.
Another statue was erected in Panama City, Panama in January 2016, marking the second to be unveiled in Latin America. The first statue, which was erected in Mexico City, Mexico in 2015, was dedicated to the people and culture of Latin America. The second statue, in Panama City, was dedicated to the Panamanian people and their history. It was constructed with the help of local artisans, and its design was chosen to reflect the country’s unique identity. The statue stands 12 feet tall and is made of bronze and concrete. It depicts a woman holding a basket of flowers, which symbolizes the beauty and vibrancy of the Panamanian people. The statue serves as a reminder of the country’s rich history and culture, and it stands as a symbol of hope for a brighter future.
In March 2018, South Korea gifted the city of Mérida in Mexico with a “Greeting Man.” Approximately 2,000 South Korean citizens live in the community.
A new statue was erected in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico in March 2021, adding to the city’s already impressive collection of monuments and sculptures. The statue, which is located in a public plaza, honors the region’s cultural history and marks a significant moment in the city’s history. Locals have taken a great interest in the new monument, admiring its intricate details and its symbolic meaning. The sculpture is a reminder of the city’s deep-rooted traditions and its pride in its heritage. Visitors to Merida can now enjoy the beauty of this new artwork, which is sure to become an iconic part of the city for years to come.
In October 2013, a “Greeting Man” was introduced near the Korean Demilitarized Zone in Haean, Yanggu County, Gangwon Province in the northeast of the country. Located at home, this unique initiative was met with enthusiasm by the local residents.
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