By Hong Angie
Video = Korea Craft & Design Foundation official YouTube channel

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF) on Oct. 13 said they are hosting this year's Hanbok Culture Week from Oct. 16-22 in Seoul's Jongno-gu District as well as other cities nationwide.

In the third week in October every year, this festival offers opportunities to experience the multifaceted culture of the traditional clothing through exhibitions, interactive programs and fashion shows to promote the use of Hanbok in daily life. This year marks the event's sixth anniversary and features the theme "Great Day for Wearing Hanbok!"

Visitors to the Seoul Museum of Craft Art over the event period can use self-portrait photo booths free and buy outfits at a Hanbok store. On Oct. 20, a commemorative event at the museum's outdoor courtyard will grant awards to those who promote Hanbok culture as well as hold a fashion show under the theme "Hojeobmong," or the parable "Butterfly Dream" by Taoist sage Zhuangzi, and a gugak (traditional music) performance. 

The National Folk Museum of Korea is presenting an array of interactive events featuring Hanbok from the nation's Enlightenment period (1876-1910) like wearing outfits, holding quizzes and traditional games, making kkotsin (flower-imprinted shoes) and hosting a tea ceremony.

Cheongjin Park, Naminsa Madang Stage and Jongmyo Square Park all in Jongno-gu will host festivals including guerrilla dance performances, music concerts, a Hanbok media art cube, Hanbok postcard drawing and an event for making tal (traditional mask) keyrings by visitors. Traditional Hanbok displays and trying on outfits are also available at Yeomin Hall 1 in front of Cheong Wa Dae's garden Nokjiwon. 

This year's event was also organized in collaboration with the governments of the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do and the cities of Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, Busan and Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province. Joint programs with 12 related organizations and associations include Hanbok stores and displays and a traditional coming-of-age ceremony.

In addition, 54 participating businesses in Jongno-gu offer benefits related to the event. Visitors can get discounts at designated Hanbok stores and rental services as well as at restaurants and cafes if they wear Hanbok there.

"I hope that Hanbok Culture Week is a festival that all of our people can enjoy rather than just one industry," Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for Culture and Arts Policy Yu Byungchae said. "Through this event, I hope that our clothing Hanbok gets more love, grows more popular and becomes part of daily life."

More information on the festival and its schedule is available on the KCDF's website: http://www.kcdf.or.kr/hanbokcultureweek/brd/board/209/L/menu/211

shong9412@korea.kr