NEW BBC DIRECTOR
EMPHASIZES BRITAIN
Copyright 2002 www.chosun.com
[ April 18th 2002 ]
Shoba
Ponnappa, the new director of the British Council
who started work there on April 3, says that she
is impressed by the harmony of modern architecture
and traditional palaces in downtown Seoul.
A graduate
of Bombay University, India, Ponnappa has been
working for the British Council for 25 years since
1977, and it¡¯s her third appointment to directorship
posts after time in Zambia from 1994 to 1997,
and Mauritius (1997-2001). She says that she would
concentrate on introducing the "modern Britain"
to Koreans. Breaking the preconception of the
"land of gentry," she sees modern Britain as the
home of "Lara Croft" and a powerhouse of cinema,
animation, games and digital contents sectors.
Ponnappa
said that she has had to put her utmost effort
at work to overcome the disadvantage as a minority
woman. While she only has worked less than 15
days, she has already drawn up a rather specific
plan to promote the culture of Britain; a language
study fair, movie festival, game design workshop
and "Football Crazy," a performance introducing
Britain¡¯s love for the sports.
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