Naju-si, Operation of Empathy Naju Hyanggyo Program

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City in Jeollanam-do announced on the 19th that it will operate the ‘Sympathy! Naju Hyanggyo’ program in seven sessions, starting with the hearing-impaired on the 14th, at the ‘Naju Hyanggyo Curved Pine Tree School.’

The ‘Naju Hyanggyo Curved Pine Tree School’ is a Hyanggyo and Seowon cultural heritage utilization project hosted by Naju City, sponsored by the Cultural Heritage Administration and Naju Hyanggyo, and commissioned to be operated by Dongshin University Lifelong Education Center.

Sympathy! Naju Hyanggyo consists of various educational and experiential programs such as ‘Wearing traditional robes and touring Naju Hyanggyo while listening to stories,’ ‘Learning tea ceremony and traditional etiquette,’ ‘Making Injeolmi rice cakes with your own hands,’ and ‘Rice cake pounding.’

About 20 hearing-impaired participants in the first session, along with sign language interpreters, started with a tea ceremony experience to enjoy the taste and elegance of tradition, followed by a tour inside the Hyanggyo to learn about the history and culture of Naju Hyanggyo.

Afterwards, they spent a warm and friendly time in the serene Hyanggyo by pounding rice cakes themselves and tasting the Injeolmi they made.

Mr. Kim (64), residing in Nampyeong-eup, said, “It was a joyful time to pound rice cakes for the first time in my life and share the rice cakes I made with my colleagues,” adding, “Due to COVID-19, outdoor activities were difficult, but I definitely want to participate in the Curved Pine Tree School program again.”

Sympathy! Naju Hyanggyo plans to continue the program targeting people with developmental disabilities, seniors aged 65 and over, marriage immigrants from multicultural families, and foreign students.

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr