The Czech Republic launches its new cultural center in an opening ceremony at the Castle Praha Building near the trendy Hongdae district of Seoul on Monday.

The Czech Centre Seoul aims to “promote bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges” between Korea and the Czech Republic, according to a statement from the center. 

It is part of the central European country’s efforts to promote Czech culture on the international stage and enforce an image of the country as a modern and creative country with rich cultural traditions, the center said.

There are 21 such centers in 19 countries around the world, according to its website. The centers are funded by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The centers are members of the European Union of National Institutes for Culture.

Normal operating hours for Czech Centre Seoul start on Tuesday. For more information about Czech Centre Seoul and its activities check out its website at www.soul.czechcentres.cz/cs/en/.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)