Supporting Domestic Performances and Exhibitions
Through Overseas Korean Cultural Centers
On April 29, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will officially launch the '2025 Touring K-Arts' project in collaboration with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. Touring K-Arts is a system that supports the overseas tours of outstanding domestic cultural and artistic programs, using overseas Korean Cultural Centers and Cultural Promotion Centers as hubs.
The Ministry expanded and reorganized its existing support program for touring overseas Korean Cultural Centers into 'Touring K-Arts' following the establishment of the International Cultural Promotion Policy Office in February last year. When outstanding domestic cultural and artistic groups wish to hold performances, exhibitions, or lectures abroad, the program connects and supports them so they can tour multiple countries (cities) where Korean Cultural Centers are located.
Last year, 15 programs, including performances and exhibitions, toured 20 cities in 19 countries. As a result, compared to non-touring programs, the performance sector achieved a 41% reduction in airfare costs, while the exhibition sector saw a 23% reduction in artwork shipping expenses. In addition, support was extended to regions such as Africa and South America, where opportunities to experience outstanding domestic performances and exhibitions are limited, thereby enhancing the content quality of overseas Korean Cultural Centers.
Jongmyo Jeryeak Sings Joseon Indonesia Exhibition Poster Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
This year, the scale of the project will be greatly expanded, with a total of 41 works?including 15 performances, 11 exhibitions, and 15 lectures?touring 49 cities in 32 countries, centered around 35 overseas Korean Cultural Centers and Cultural Promotion Centers. In particular, new programs for young and emerging artists will be introduced to provide them with opportunities to perform on overseas stages, and a variety of cultural lectures reflecting local demand?such as Korean cuisine, beauty, and humanities?will be offered.
Looking at the programs that will begin touring from May, the National Contemporary Dance Company's signature work 'Jungle,' which has received acclaim both domestically and internationally since its premiere in 2023, will be showcased in Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The exhibition 'Light of Korea, Jinju Silk Lanterns,' themed on 'silk,' the representative specialty of Jinju in Gyeongnam, will be held in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the Ilmin Museum of Art's exhibition 'Redrawn World 2025' will be presented in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. This exhibition highlights young artists who have emerged in the Korean art scene since the 2000s, alongside masters of Joseon-era painting, introducing the modern interpretation and value of Korean painting.
Programs linked to the National Arts Organizations' 'Young Artist Training Program' will also take the international stage. The National Gugak Center Orchestra's creative Korean traditional chamber music performance 'Korean Sound' will tour the United Arab Emirates and Turkiye, while the National Opera Company's opera gala concert 'Opera Journey' will tour the United States and Canada. These dynamic young artists are expected to showcase the creative future of Korean culture and arts to the world.
Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation Korean Temple Food Culture Experience Exhibition [Photo by Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism]
In addition, among the lectures reflecting local demand, 'Taste of Jang,' which introduces the jang-making culture inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, will be held in Italy and Hungary. The 'Temple Food Culture' lecture, which is currently seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, will be held in Thailand and Australia. The 'K-Food Cooking Class,' reflecting the Korean Wave, will take place in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. Furthermore, humanities lectures such as 'K-Beauty Makeup,' 'Korean Literature,' and 'Documentary Heritage' will be offered to local audiences in Europe, the United States, and Asia.
Yoon Yangsu, Director of the International Cultural Promotion Policy Office at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Through this project, we have enhanced the content quality of overseas Korean Cultural Centers and actively expanded opportunities for young domestic artists and private arts organizations to advance overseas. The Ministry will continue to actively discover highly attractive 'K-Arts programs' on site abroad and provide full support so that our cultural and artistic talents can thrive on the global stage."
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