On July 24, visitors to the Korean Pavilion at BEXCO in Busan experienced the vibrant essence of 'K-heritage.'
The exhibition, titled 'Living Intangible Heritage,' featured artisans demonstrating their crafts, allowing attendees to engage with traditional culture. The expressions of those watching the artisans at work were serious, as they observed the delicate techniques. If there is a term for gazing at artifacts, the Korean Pavilion offered a similar experience called 'artisan gaze,' where visitors were captivated by the artisans' skilled hands.
Jang Cheol-young, a master artisan, explained the process of creating Najeon, a traditional craft involving the intricate cutting of abalone shells to form beautiful patterns. A steady stream of visitors gathered in front of his demonstration area.
Jang remarked, "Abalone shells are not just waste; in Japan, they are considered national treasures, yet Korea lacks national treasures related to Najeon."
In addition to Jang, other artisans such as Park Myung-bae, a master of woodcraft, Kim Hye-jung, a master of traditional Korean paper, and Kang Jeon-hyang and Jeon Yeong-in, masters of traditional headgear, showcased their skills.
Many families visited the exhibition, including Kwak Min-jeong, 47, who brought her second-grade child. She said, "I wanted my child to experience our cultural heritage. It's great that they can see and touch both tangible and intangible cultural assets firsthand."
Some children returned to watch the artisans again after initially exploring the exhibition. Fourth-grader Kang Hyo-rim said, "There were too many people earlier, so I couldn't see well. Now that I'm back, the Najeon is so beautiful."
The experiential programs were highly popular, with activities like making Najeon tumblers and horsehair necklaces fully booked shortly after opening. An official noted, "As soon as the doors opened, visitors rushed in to make reservations, and they filled up quickly."
The Jin Gwan Sa booth was also bustling with families eager to create paper flowers, known as 'Jihwa.' A monk explained, "Jihwa are flowers made of paper. In the past, real flowers were rare, so people dyed paper flowers for offerings." The children's eyes sparkled with interest.
Long lines formed in front of the K-heritage immersive exhibition, featuring media art installations like 'Time of Reflection,' 'Realistic Gyeongguk,' and 'Timeless Time.'
Fifth-grader Ahn Chae-eun expressed her enjoyment, saying, "It was magical, and I loved the music. It made me think about how important it is to preserve our cultural heritage."
The Korean Pavilion is an official exhibition set up to commemorate the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. It will operate at BEXCO's Exhibition Hall 1 until July 29, featuring a special exhibition with 35 participating institutions, 38 traditional performances, and various experiential programs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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