On the 10th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that various Korean traditional cultural events such as Hanbok, crafts, traditional performances, and Korean cuisine will be held year-round centered on 26 overseas Korean Cultural Centers in 25 countries. They plan to promote Korean traditional culture in cooperation with various organizations including the National Gugak Center, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, local governments, and local cultural and artistic institutions.
At the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium and the European Union, a photo exhibition titled 'Hanbok on the Road' will be held from March to May. The exhibition features 21 works capturing locals wearing Hanbok against the backdrop of major landmarks in three cities: Brussels, Antwerp, and Dinant, showcasing the beauty of Hanbok to Europe. In Germany, a performance titled 'Mask & Dance - The Country of Dance and Music, Korea’s DNA of Excitement and Spirit,' featuring traditional mask dances, Taepyeongmu, and Gayageum performances, will be presented in August. In Kazakhstan, the event 'Korean Music, Song, and Dance' showcasing traditional Korean performances with instruments such as the piri, daegeum, and haegeum will be held in November.
Preview event of 'Hanbok on the Road' by the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium and the European Union [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]
In Italy, events highlighting the excellence of Hanji as a restoration material will be held consecutively. In June, an exhibition of Hanji will be held with students from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, and in July, a natural dyeing training session for Hanji will be conducted for local restorers in cooperation with the Vatican Museums and others. In France, Sweden, and Austria, Gugak classes will be held; in Spain, craft exhibitions; and in Hungary, traditional embroidery exhibitions. In the UK, T?rkiye, and Russia, 'Korean Food Month,' Korean cuisine competitions, and Korean food experience events will be held.
In Asia, events to promote Korean traditional culture will continue. The Korean Cultural Center in Osaka plans seasonal craft exhibitions introducing traditional craftworks such as moon jars and royal court floral paintings in spring, gold leaf in summer, Onggi pottery in autumn, and quilting in winter. In Shanghai, China, together with the National Gugak Center, an exhibition titled 'The World of Korean Traditional Music: Stories of Old Korean Music' will be held from March to June, and from June to July, a youth exchange concert will be held in collaboration with the Korea National University of Arts (School of Traditional Arts) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, in cooperation with Jinju City in Gyeongnam Province, a touring exhibition titled 'Light of Korea? Jinju Silk Lanterns' will be held in May, September, and October respectively, highlighting the artistic and cultural value of Jinju’s representative specialty, silk. In Thailand, traditional culture classes will be operated year-round.
In the Americas, the Korean Cultural Center in Washington will introduce the traditional Korean sport of Ssireum in October in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, and hold a 'Kimchi Culture' experience event to commemorate 'Kimchi Day (November 22)' in Washington DC. In Los Angeles (LA), USA, and Ottawa, Canada, special exhibitions titled 'Drawing of Najeonjang' as part of the cultural center’s touring project 'Touring K-Arts' will be held in August and October respectively, showcasing the beauty of Najeonchil craftsmanship to North America.
In Brazil, for the first time locally in the second half of the year, a book featuring Korean food spots and traditional food production processes will be published, accompanied by a commemorative exhibition. In Argentina, Korean food culture education courses will be held to provide locals with opportunities to experience traditional Korean ingredients and cooking methods. In Sydney, Australia, following the recent broadcast of the drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' an event introducing traditional Korean sweets using Jeju tangerines will be held in April. In Nigeria and South Africa, plans are underway to promote Korean traditional culture through Korean food, Hanbok, and traditional craft experience events.
Kim Hyun-jun, Director of International Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Going forward, overseas Korean Cultural Centers will strengthen their role as key hubs introducing traditional cultural content overseas in collaboration with domestic and international cultural and artistic institutions." He added, "The Ministry will actively support the expansion of the popularity of K-culture, which has been centered on popular culture, to encompass traditional culture overall, including Hanbok, Korean cuisine, and Hanji."
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