Submission of Nomination Form for Representative List to UNESCO Headquarters
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] ‘Korean Talchum (Talchum, Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea)’ has taken its first step toward being inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 1st that it submitted the nomination file for the Representative List to the UNESCO headquarters on the 31st of last month. Accordingly, the inscription of ‘Korean Talchum’ will be decided at the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Intangible Heritage Committee) in December 2022, following evaluations by the UNESCO Secretariat and advisory bodies.
‘Korean Talchum’ is a traditional Korean dance performed wearing masks. It combines elements of song and dance (gamu) and theatrical performance. It publicizes absurd social issues through humor and satire. Characters’ personalities are exaggerated to create amusement and the performance concludes with a dance of reconciliation. Audience participation through applause and jeers is used as a dramatic element, and it is also noted for continuously inspiring contemporary art. It is evaluated as having provided identity and continuity to the community through creative reinvention across generations.
As national intangible cultural heritage, thirteen items have been designated, including Yangju Byeolsandae Nori, Tongyeong Ogwangdae, Goseong Ogwangdae, Gangneung Danoje’s Gwan-no Mask Play, Bukcheong Lion Play, Bongsan Talchum, Dongnae Yaryu, Gangnyeong Talchum, Suyeong Yaryu, Songpa Sandae Nori, Eunyul Talchum, Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, and Gasan Ogwangdae. As provincial intangible cultural heritage, five items are designated: Sokcho Lion Play (Gangwon Intangible Cultural Heritage), Toegyewon Sandae Nori (Gyeonggi Intangible Cultural Heritage), Yecheon Cheongdan Noreum (Gyeongbuk Intangible Cultural Heritage), Jinju Ogwangdae, and Gimhae Ogwangdae (both Gyeongnam Intangible Cultural Heritage). The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “We plan to cooperate with each preservation organization performing and educating Talchum, as well as related government ministries, to achieve inscription of Talchum on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.”
This year, the Intangible Heritage Committee will also decide on the inscription of ‘Yeondeunhoe (Lotus Lantern Festival),’ a Buddhist event celebrating the birth of Sakyamuni, as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Currently, Korea holds twenty items on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including ‘Ssireum, Korean Traditional Wrestling,’ which was jointly inscribed by North and South Korea in 2018.
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