The Greetingman is a monumental sculpture located in Plaza de Canarias, beside the historic Titan Crane and the Santa Catalina Wharf area. Standing six metres tall, two metres wide, and weighing approximately two tonnes, the artwork is made of aluminium and reinforced with an internal steel structure that provides strength and stability.

The sculpture was donated by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as a symbol of the close relationship between the two territories. Its installation commemorates both seventy years of diplomatic relations between Spain and South Korea and the longstanding presence of the Korean community linked to the Port of La Luz, which began with the arrival of the Korean fishing fleet in the 1960s.

Created by South Korean artist Yoo Young-ho, the work forms part of an international series of sculptures displayed in cities around the world. The Greetingman in Gran Canaria is particularly unique, as it is the only example located within a European Union country.

Its distinctive posture, inclined at an angle of 15 degrees, reflects the traditional Korean bow and represents universal values such as respect, courtesy, and mutual understanding. Beyond being a gesture of welcome, the figure’s inclination also symbolizes dialogue between cultures, peaceful coexistence, and the enrichment that arises from the meeting of different peoples.

The Korean community has left a significant mark on Gran Canaria in areas as diverse as the economy, gastronomy, education, and culture. Over the decades, the connections established through the Port of Las Palmas have helped strengthen a relationship that remains vibrant today and forms part of the island’s open and international identity.

Today, the Greetingman has become one of the most recognizable cultural landmarks in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, celebrating the friendship between South Korea and Gran Canaria while promoting the values of respect, tolerance, and cooperation shared by both communities.