Anyang City Festival Offers Special Invitation to photographer

This month we’re introducing a special person, Mr. Neil Mishalov, 60 yeas old, who lives in California. In 1968 he was in Suk So Dong, the 83rd Ordnance. At that time he photographed many pictures of Anyang and now he’s posted them on the Internet. We discovered these pictures, so during the Anyang City festival, we’re preparing a special photographic exhibit to show these pictures to Anyang citizens at the City Hall and Culture/Arts Center.

We have a long story, but space is limited. Kim Dae Kyu interviewed Mishalov about himself.

Kim – When did you come to Anyang and how long did you stay?

Mishalov – In March 1968 I came to Suk So Dong with the 83rd Ordnance. I returned home in 1969.

Kim – When you stayed here, what were your experiences in Anyang?

Mishalov – Life in Anyang was a new experience. I never saw rice fields or oxen before, so I learned many things. It was also a wonderful chance to learn an Asian culture. That still influences me today. My strongest feelings were how after the Japanese left Korea, the Koreans suffered through a terrible war. I’ve also personally experienced how energetic, sensible and hard working Korean people are. I’m not surprised that Koreans have developed their economy to such a tremendous extent.

Kim – What’s the reason you took so many photographs?

Mishalov – Good question – I wanted to have a photographic record of Korea. I’ve kept these pictures 34 years. Whenever I moved, I always kept the pictures. They’re on 35 mm slides and only recently have I been able to transfer them to my website. I've gotten many e-mails from Koreans and other Americans who have been in Korea. Many were from young people who weren’t even born when I was in Korea.

Kim – Anyang is preparing a 30 year festival so if we send an invitation, will you come?

Mishalov – If you’ll invite me, I’ll gladly come after that 35 years absence. Of course, I’ll bring my camera.

Kim – What would you think about us presenting all your pictures at the festival?

Mishalov – I’d be honored and very happy. The pictures are a symbol of Korean/American friendship so it would be an honor.

Kim – What do you think about Korean/American relations in the future?

Mishalov – The Koreans are a great people and Korea should become a united country. Americans respect and like Koreans; many Koreans now live in American. Like East and West Germany, there’ll hopefully be a united Korea.

Through the interview, we found that Mishalov deeply loves Korea and the Koreans. So we expect he’ll visit for the photo exhibition.