By Kang Gahui and Kim Min-Jeung

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on July 19 that 63 young professionals from 28 countries, including Georgia, the Philippines and Cuba, will participate in the government's Cultural Partnership Initiative Project (CPI), a global platform for cross-cultural exchanges and one of the ministry's main official development assistance (ODA) programs.

The CPI brings specialists in the arts and media to Korea to enhance their joint productions, to activate social exchanges, and to provide opportunities to them for professional training. A total of 1,079 people from 104 countries have participated in the program since it was launched in 2005.

Events begin on July 20 with a preliminary education semester in Gwangju for five months. Applicants will receive Korean language lessons and professional training courses, perform collaborative projects and learn about Korean heritage and traditions at 14 cultural institutions around the country, including the Seoul Museum of History, the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

This year, the Chungnam Arts and Culture Foundation, the Jeonju International Sori Festival Committee, and the acting community Jatury all took part in the project for the first time. They will conduct training sessions in bilingual theater and help with collaborative productions that use traditional instruments and dances.

kgh89@korea.kr