On July 24, visitors at the Korean Pavilion in Busan's BEXCO experienced the vibrant essence of 'K-heritage' through live demonstrations of traditional crafts.
The 'Living Intangible Heritage' exhibition featured artisans showcasing their skills, allowing attendees to engage with traditional culture. The serious expressions of onlookers reflected their fascination as they watched the artisans at work. While some may gaze at artifacts in awe, the Korean Pavilion offered a unique opportunity to witness the artisans' meticulous craftsmanship.
Jang Cheol-young, a master of Najeon, explained the process of creating intricate designs by cutting abalone shells into thin pieces. A steady stream of visitors gathered around his demonstration area, captivated by his skill.
“Abalone shells are not just waste; they are valuable materials,” Jang noted, expressing disappointment that Korea lacks national treasures related to Najeon, unlike Japan, where mother-of-pearl is highly regarded.
In addition to Jang, other artisans, including Park Myung-bae, a master woodworker, and Kim Hye-jung, a master of Tanggeon, showcased their traditional techniques.
Many families visited the exhibition, including 47-year-old Kwak Min-jeong, who brought her second-grade child. “I wanted my child to experience our cultural heritage,” she said. “It’s great that they can see and touch both tangible and intangible cultural assets.”
Some children returned to watch the artisans again after initially being unable to see closely due to the crowd. Fourth grader Kang Hyo-rim remarked, “I couldn’t see well earlier because it was so crowded, but now I see how beautiful the mother-of-pearl is.”
The popularity of the experiential programs was evident, as activities like making Najeon tumblers and horsehair necklaces were fully booked shortly after the opening. A representative stated, “Visitors rushed to make reservations as soon as they entered.”
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 we dyed paper flowers for offerings.” The children listened intently, their eyes sparkling with interest.
Long lines formed in front of the K-heritage immersive exhibition, where media art pieces like 'Time of Yunsul' and 'Realistic Uigwe' reinterpreted the colors and light of traditional Najeon using digital technology.
Fifth grader Ahn Chae-eun said, “It was fascinating and the music was great; I really enjoyed it. I feel we need to protect 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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