‘Korean Talchum’ Inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity... "The Value of Equality is Profound"

Korean Talchum Listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Universal Equality and Critique of Social Hierarchy Values
Number of Domestic Intangible Cultural Heritage Items Rises to 22

▲On November 30 (local time), at the 17th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Rabat, Morocco, the Korean mask dance "Talchum" was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Choi Eungcheon, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration (center), and Park Sangmi, Ambassador to the UNESCO Permanent Delegation (second from right), along with the government delegation, are celebrating with officials.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Korea's Talchum (mask dance) has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It is the twenty-second Korean intangible cultural heritage to be recognized by UNESCO.

On the morning of the 30th (local time), at the 17th UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Rabat, Morocco, the Intangible Heritage Committee made the final decision to inscribe "Korea's Talchum" on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee highly praised that "Korea's Talchum" emphasizes the universal value of equality and criticism of social hierarchy, which remain relevant topics today, and that it plays a symbolic role in the cultural identity of each region.

Korea's Talchum is a comprehensive art form encompassing dance, song, and theater, and has been designated as a National Intangible Cultural Property since the 1960s when the intangible heritage system was introduced.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "We will continue to make efforts to contribute to cultural diversity and the promotion of human creativity in accordance with the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage."