Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Interactive Programs at the National Museum

"I am imagination."

At the 2026 Cultural Diversity Week event held on May 23 at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, 10-year-old Kim Da-ha expressed herself using the word 'imagination.'

Using colorful cards in shades of purple, yellow, pink, blue, and green, she created various shapes to represent herself. The experiential program 'Light of Me' was designed to encourage children to reflect on the question, 'Who am I?' Participants created mind maps with words or phrases that described themselves and then used the colored cards to express their inner selves through colors and shapes.

Kim said, "I really enjoy playing while imagining things."

"Just thinking about becoming a character in a game or Hermione from 'Harry Potter' makes me happy. If there were only one color, it would be boring. My emotions are as diverse as the colors!"
    The 2026 Cultural Diversity Week, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-organized by the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service and cultural foundations from Busan, Jeonnam, Chungbuk, and Ansan, adopted the slogan 'When My Culture Shines.' The aim is to broaden the understanding of cultural diversity beyond nationality, ethnicity, gender, and regional issues to include personal experiences and sensitivities. The event conveyed the message that when each member of society's unique stories are respected, it leads to a more creative and inclusive society. The idea is that when 'my culture' shines, new relationships and creative endeavors can blossom.
 
Families flocked to the event, where both children and adults engaged in participatory programs that allowed them to naturally experience diversity. The process involved reflecting on their own inner selves and understanding and respecting the differences of others.

In the program 'Future Sensation - Sculpting the Movements of Nature' by Art Center Nabi, children explored the sounds and movements of nature using all five senses. The participants, consisting of elementary school students from grades 3 to 6, walked along the paths of the National Museum of Korea, creating mobiles using various materials such as string, straws, and colored paper to represent the natural elements they sensed, including the ripples of a pond, the fluttering of swallows, and the movements of fire ants.
 
Working in teams of five, the children completed a mobile that swayed in different directions based on weight, creating a colorful wave. Remembering their teacher's words, "Don't say, 'You broke the balance,'" they experienced the process of finding their own balance through the combination of different shapes and weights.
    The event also featured a talk concert focused on cultural diversity. Director Yoo Hong-jun of the National Museum of Korea, producer Yoon Sang, poet Park Jun, and musical actor Kai discussed the topic of diversity.

Director Yoo emphasized that cultural diversity is the vitality of culture, presenting the theme 'Cultural Diversity: Flowing Culture Nourishes the River.' Reflecting on his experiences as a student in 1967, he noted, "Back then, I had never heard discussions about cultural diversity. We were focused on exploring the uniqueness of our culture and its identity." He recalled the strong defensive reaction to foreign cultures due to their overwhelming influence.
 
However, times have changed. Yoo illustrated how culture can thrive through diversity by citing examples such as Goryeo, which maintained its openness to foreign cultures and thus sustained itself for over 400 years, even as six dynasties in China rose and fell.

Yoo stated, "Unchanging traditions ultimately lose their vitality and become mere customs. Preserving the original intent while adapting to the times is the true vitality of tradition." He added, "Seventy percent of the Korean language consists of Chinese characters. Accepting Chinese characters over 2,000 years ago provided immense momentum for our civilization. Today, Western languages, including English, have already made significant inroads. Writing evolves with diversity and self-development; it does not remain purebred."

He advised, "While accumulating cultural diversity, we should also internalize what comes from outside and reject what does not fit. When negative influences arise, we must actively block them to allow culture to flourish."
 
Yoo also noted that the global spread of K-Culture is a testament to the power of cultural diversity. He remarked, "K-Culture embraces external influences while developing its own identity. If K-Pop falls into a rut, the public will turn away," quoting a British music critic, and expressed hope that K-Culture will continue to expand as cultural diversity persists.
 
Im Jin-taek, head of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service, stated, "A society that embraces diversity is stronger and lasts longer," emphasizing that cultural diversity is a challenge for South Korea to move toward a sustainable future alongside the world.
 
The 2026 Cultural Diversity Week event was organized to commemorate the United Nations-declared Day for Cultural Diversity and the Cultural Diversity Protection and Promotion Act. The event took place from May 21 to 27, featuring a variety of programs at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul and in four other cities: Busan, Chungbuk, Jeonnam, and Ansan.

Busan showcased exhibitions, performances, and talk concerts highlighting the openness and exchange history of the maritime city. In Chungbuk, local residents and migrants shared their lives. Jeonnam hosted performances reimagining the sounds of the islands and ecological diversity art experiences, while Ansan engaged the youth through a talk concert titled 'Ordinary Diversity.'



* This article has been translated by AI.

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