Two months before the G20 Seoul Summit, influential cultural figures from the Group of 20 (G20) gathered to attend the Culture 20 (C20) meeting which took place from Sep. 8-10.

These well-known cultural figures included Missoni president Vittorio Missoni; Bruce Dover, Australia Network’s chief executive; Tizuka Yamasaki, an award-winning film director from Brazil; Gemil Ipekci, the famous Turkish designer who made the wedding dress for the late Princess Diana; and Dorothy Cann Hamilton, International Culinary Center CEO.

Despite a short itinerary, they were able to appreciate the beauty of traditional Korean architecture when visiting Changdeokgung, one of Korea''s five main palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) on Sep. 8. This palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 for its beautiful "biwon," or secret garden.

Julio Oropel, an Argentinean architect who was invited to the C20 meeting said he was very much impressed by the beauty of traditional Korean architecture.

Later that day, Korea’s First Lady Kim Yoon-ok invited them to the presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae and discussed the country’s efforts to promote Korean food, called Hansik, to the world. The First Lady said that Korean culture emphasizes harmony between nature and humans, and stressed the excellence of Hansik. She also asked guests to propose their ideas to help Korea become a cultural power during their visit.

First Lady Kim Yoon-ok (right) greets international cultural figures in Seoul for the C20 meeting. She invited them to the presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae on Sep.8.

Kim has been at the forefront of promoting Hansik in order to introduce Korean food and share its nutritional values worldwide.

Vittorio Missoni, head of Italy''s Missoni Group, said he was very much attracted by Korea’s long history and tradition, as well as the country’srapid speed of development.

Hemant Oberoi, a top Indian chef, said he was fascinated by Hansik and will promote Korean food to the people of India.

Meanwhile, Guy Sorman, a well-known French philosopher and economist, said, "Korea has many artists that transplant the past and present in their artworks… its national museum is one of the largest in Asia."

Gemil Ipekci, a Turkish designer, said he is planning to design clothing using ideas from traditional Korean and Turkish clothes.

Award-winning Brazilian film director Tizuka Yamasaki said she was impressed by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, since it lies in the center of the city and was transformed  into a popular stream for citizens to visit and enjoy. Yamasaki also said she hopes to make a film about Korea and include shots of the Cheonggyecheon in the film.

This C20 meeting was run by the Corea Image Communication Institute and sponsored by the Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. World-leading cultural figures from G20 countries are invited to the gathering ahead of the G20 Seoul Summit, scheduled to take place on Nov. 11-12.