Greetingman

The sculpture Greetingman, a six-metre-high, two-tonne figure created by Korean artist Yoo Young-ho, stands next to Santa Catalina Pier to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain (established in 1950), as well as the close and fruitful bond forged between the Korean community and the city through the Port of Las Palmas.

This relationship began in 1966 with the docking of the first vessel of the Korean fishing fleet, which chose the capital of Gran Canaria as its base of operations and thereby contributed to the growth of the port. Today, this connection remains alive through a well-established community in the city and through strong economic, cultural and gastronomic ties.

The Greetingman figure bows in a traditional gesture of reverence, symbolising peace, gratitude and respect. The sculpture forms part of an international Art for Peace project, with installations in locations around the world that maintain historical links with Korea, such as Uruguay, Mexico, Panama and Vietnam. The sculpture in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the first of its kind in Europe.