By Gil Kyuyoung
Public demonstrations and exhibitions by artists designated national intangible heritage are scheduled this month across the nation.
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on May 31 announced that jointly with the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA), it will hold nationwide events for the public featuring such heritage and the works of cultural masters.
The heritage events in 35 categories have the artists demonstrate their skills to popularize the heritage they specialize in.
First, events from June 20-29 will promote the excellence of traditional handicrafts at the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center in Seoul. They will include public demonstrations and exhibitions of works by heritage masters including decorative knots, horsehair hat and engravings.
Also scheduled are public events displaying the essence of traditional folk dances. Performances of seungmu (Buddhist monk's dance) and taepyeongmu (great peace dance) will be held on June 12 and those of pansori (lyrical solo opera) on June 20 at Korea Culture House in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District.
From June 28-30 in Naju, Jeollanam-do Province, a traditional indigo dyeing workshop and demonstration will please the eyes and ears of visitors.
Performances of intangible cultural heritage and exhibitions will be held at events organized by the masters of such heritage.
A performance of the traditional mask dance Gyeonggi-do Yangju byeolsan daenori is slated for June 15 in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, and the Gangneung Danoje Festival, which seeks to preserve folk culture from the Joseon Dynasty, runs from June 8-13 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.
The royal ancestral ritual Jongmyo Jerye, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and salpurichum (exorcism dance) were held on June 1 in Seoul.
More information on the events' schedules and venues are available on the official KHS website (www.khs.go.kr) or by calling the KHA (public events: +82-22-3011-2153 / special events: +82-22-3011-2156).
The KHS said, "We will expand opportunities for the public to enjoy such heritage through proactive administration like hosting a variety of events to offer more friendly access to national intangible cultural heritage."
gilkyuyoung@korea.kr
