Ministry of the Interior and Safety Hosts Hangul Day Celebration at Sejong Center
Event Featuring Dialects from Various Regions
On the 9th, marking the 578th Hangeul Day, commemorative events were held across the country to reflect on the meaning of our language and to promote its value and importance.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held the 578th Hangeul Day celebration ceremony at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul under the theme "Are you okay?! Hangeul." The theme was chosen to highlight the increased international interest and status of Hangeul, while pointing out the rampant use of loanwords domestically, aiming to foster a shift in perception toward Hangeul.
At Gwanghwamun Square, the 15th Gwanghwamun Square Calligraphy Contest took place, where about 300 participants dressed in traditional Joseon Dynasty examination robes sat in the square showcasing their calligraphy skills. The contest also featured 50 foreign calligraphy enthusiasts from countries including Japan, Taiwan, France, and Kenya, who wore sky-blue robes and demonstrated their refined calligraphy talents.
In various regions, commemorative events utilizing local dialects were held. Busan City held a celebration at the city hall auditorium attended by over 500 citizens from various sectors including key officials, Hangeul-related organizations such as the Busan Hangeul Society, educators, and civic groups. Busan awarded certificates of appreciation to 10 individuals who contributed to the preservation and awareness of the local dialect as recognition for their service to the development of Hangeul.
Jeju conducted its Hangeul Day celebration in the Jeju dialect, known as "Jejueo." The ceremony held at the Jeju Seolmundae Women’s Culture Center was attended by about 400 residents including groups related to Hangeul and Jejueo, students, and others. The event featured Jejueo poetry recitations, Jejueo children’s song performances, and an exhibition of Jejueo original poems. Jejueo retains unique forms of Hangeul from the time of the Hunminjeongeum creation, such as the "araea" (·), which has almost disappeared elsewhere, making it highly valuable for preservation.
Additionally, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Language and Culture Center at Kangwon National University, held a "Grand Hangeul Day Festival" in front of Chuncheon City Hall. The event opened with a performance by a samulnori group and featured various cultural experience programs including Hangeul sticker application, traditional games, Hangeul dalgona, and Hangeul brush calligraphy.
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held the "Hangeul Grand Festival with Residents" at the outdoor performance hall of the provincial government office. The program included a pre-ceremony performance by the Jeonbuk Provincial Gugak Institute Children’s Symphony Orchestra, congratulatory speeches, awards for Hangeul contributors, and an award ceremony for adult literacy learners’ contests.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized cultural events at 31 Korean Cultural Centers in 28 countries worldwide to promote the value of Hangeul and publicize its excellence globally.
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