Pansori, Arirang, traditional dancing and crafts that define Korea’s traditional culture will be on display from Oct. 26-29 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.

The Festival of Korean Intangible Cultural Heritages 2017 will be held under the theme of “Generation after Generation,” according to the National Intangible Heritage Center, which is co-hosting the event with the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.

“The event’s goal is for participants to recognize the value of the intangibles that our ancestors have passed down through performances, thus promoting the further development of intangible cultural heritage” said Kim Jung-nam, acting chief of the NIHC.

The first festival was held last year. Officials said that last year’s event focused mostly on crafts, but this year it will also include traditional art performances.

Some 100 artists designated as “human cultural assets” will display 250 pieces of art. There will also be explanations on how traditions are passed down from generation to generation.

Musician Namgung Yeon will direct a special performance that is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional play. In addition to the traditional performers, punk rock band Crying Nut and members of the Korean National Ballet will perform onstage.

“I’ve augmented the visual elements so that it will be gukak (Korean traditional music) that you can see, instead of one that you just hear,” Nam said.

Korean martial art Takkyeon, folk song Arirang and folk dance Ganggangsullae -- which have been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list -- will be introduced through performances. A pansori performance will also take place.

Hands-on programs for visitors, such as learning how to dance Ganggangsullae, will be available.

A forum of intangible cultural heritage experts will be held, during which they will discuss ways to preserve traditions.

Dying traditions like tight rope walking -- which in Korean tradition is accompanied by performances and acrobatics -- and masked plays will also be performed.

In addition to displaying traditional crafts, there will be a section where traditional craftsmen team up with modern designers for contemporary interpretations of traditional crafts.

The exhibition will be held at the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation in Jeonju. 


By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)