Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Andong City Open a Forum for 'Cultural Exchange' Cooperation

Meeting with Andong Mayor Kwon Ki-chang and Touring Wolyeonggyo Bridge and Andong Cultural Heritage Sites

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Andong City Open a Venue for Cultural Exchange and Cooperation.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] Dr. Paul Taylor and his team from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History visited Andong on the 6th, held a meeting with Andong Mayor Kwon Ki-chang, and took time to tour Andong's cultural heritage sites.

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., USA, is the world's largest comprehensive museum, housing vast collections across 19 museums, art galleries, and libraries in various fields.

Dr. Paul Taylor is the head of the Asian cultural program that promotes traditional arts while exhibiting traditional crafts from various Asian countries at this museum, and he is also an anthropologist.

(From right) Matthew Arnold - Kim Sang-don - Paul Michael Taylor - Woo Jong-sik - Kim Ho-tae.

Dr. Paul Taylor and his team first visited Andong City Hall, held a meeting with Mayor Kwon Ki-chang, and shared a luncheon together.

Dr. Taylor's connection with Korea began from 2007 to 2017 when he was in charge of the Korea Gallery exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Since then, he has developed an interest in Korea's traditional crafts and culture.

Regarding Andong, it is said that he developed a deep affection for Andong's traditional culture when the museum exhibited traditional craftworks by artists from Gyeongbuk Province under the theme "Soul of a Millennium" in 2010.

This visit to Andong was made while coming to Korea to host the "2023 Korea Craft Exhibition" promoted by the Smithsonian Museum, and especially to examine the science of Hanok culture and Ondol heating, leading to the choice of Andong, where Hanok is well preserved.

During the visit to Andong, he also showed interest in linking the museum's curator program with the education of youth English interpreters for cultural heritage, who are cultural guardians of Andong.

Dr. Taylor said, "We are very grateful to Mayor Kwon Ki-chang of Andong for warmly welcoming us. It is a great honor to visit Andong, where tradition is well preserved and beautiful," and requested, "We would appreciate the opportunity to introduce Andong's traditional culture at our museum."

In response, Mayor Kwon said, "Andong is a city representing cultural diversity, where prehistoric relic culture, Buddhism, and Confucianism coexist," and added, "We hope this precious cultural value of our region will be introduced to the world, and we will spare no support and cooperation for this."

After the luncheon with the mayor, Dr. Taylor and his team visited the historic Oryuhon Old House located in Imha-myeon, spending time appreciating the architectural techniques and beauty of traditional Hanok and experiencing the charm and culture of Hanok.

At this event, they also met with representatives of village residents and local artists, showing interest in planning a Hanok program involving participants from around the world. They then toured Wolyeonggyo Bridge and local cultural heritage sites, concluding their schedule in Andong late into the evening.