Vienna’s ‘Poets’ Garden’ Receives Generous Contribution
Actress Lee Young-ae has reportedly funded the installation of a statue honoring the poet Cho Chi-hun at the ‘Poets’ Garden’ within the Korean Cultural Center in Vienna, Austria. This contribution marks another instance of Lee’s consistent support for commemorative projects related to independence activists and former President Syngman Rhee.
Establishing a Cultural Hub in Vienna
The ‘Poets’ Garden’ was established in 2022 by the Austrian Red Cross within the Korean Cultural Center in Vienna. The cultural center itself was built through the voluntary efforts of the local Korean community and government support. Initially, the garden featured statues of prominent Korean poets including Kim Sowol, Han Yong-un, Yun Dong-ju, and Jeong Ji-yong. The initiative aimed to promote Korean literature abroad and foster a sense of pride in Korean culture among future generations of Koreans residing overseas.
New Sculptures Added to the Garden
The statue of poet Cho Chi-hun, funded by Lee Young-ae, was added to the garden this past May, alongside a statue of the poet Yi Yuk-sa. Park Jong-bum, President of World-OKTA (World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Association) and a key figure in the establishment of the Korean Cultural Center in Austria, also participated in the funding initiative through his video group. These contributions have led to the addition of new statues to the ‘Poets’ Garden’ for the first time in four years since its inception in 2022.
The exact amount of funding has not been disclosed. A representative from the cultural center explained that the statue of Cho Chi-hun was created in 2022 but could not be installed at the time due to external circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic. It was subsequently installed along with the Yi Yuk-sa statue.
About Poet Cho Chi-hun
Cho Chi-hun (1920-1968), whose birth name was Cho Dong-tak, was a leading poet of the Cheongnok-pa (Blue Deer school) alongside Park Mok-wol and Park Du-jin. Hailing from Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, his poetry is characterized by its depiction of Korean beauty through traditional sentiments and the spirit of scholars. His representative works include ‘Seungmu’ and ‘Bonghwangsu’. After Korea’s liberation, he served as a professor at Korea University, dedicating himself to nurturing future literary talent.
Lee Young-ae’s History of Philanthropy
Lee Young-ae has a long-standing history of contributing to various commemorative projects related to Korean history and the independence movement. Notably, she has provided donations to organizations such as the Monument Association for General Hong Beom-do, the Monument Association for Doctor Yun Bong-gil, the Monument Association for Doctor Lee Bong-chang, and the Monument Association for Teacher Kim Sung-suk, all of which honor independence activists. She has also contributed to the Hanmi Dongmaeng Jaedan, which is promoting the establishment of a memorial hall for former President Syngman Rhee.
Lee also has personal ties to Austria. Her daughter, Jeong Seung-bin, is known to be part of the Korean Kinderchor choir at the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Jeong Seung-bin participated in a peace concert held in various European locations in 2024, and Lee Young-ae reportedly accompanied her daughter on her European tour to support her activities.
