Busan launches 10-day festival of Korea’s intangible heritage as Unesco committee delegates arrive for landmark gathering
Free performances, exhibitions and hands-on programs at Bexco from July 20 to 29 will spotlight traditional Korean arts during the city’s hosting of the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
People watch a jultagi (traditional Korean tightrope walking) performance at the Dasom Square in Busanjin District, Busan, on Oct. 27, 2024.SONG BONG-GEUN
Busan will host a 10-day festival celebrating Korea's intangible cultural heritage in July as it welcomes delegates to the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival in Busan, organized by the Korea Heritage Service's National Intangible Heritage Center, will run from July 20 to 29 and feature performances, exhibitions and hands-on programs highlighting traditional Korean arts and customs.
"Hexagram 22" is one of the performances, set to be held at the Bexco Auditorium in Haeundae District, Busan, on July 23 and 24. The performance reinterprets various works of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, including piri jeongak (classical Korean flute solo), daechwita (Korean traditional military band music) and taepyeongmu (dance featuring hand and foot movements), through a contemporary lens.
The festival also features an Art Market program, running from July 20 to 29 at Bexco Hall 1.
The program will bring together 25 examples of National Intangible Cultural Heritage through performances. Visitors will also be able to participate in activities including traditional mask-making, trying on traditional clothing and learning to play traditional musical instruments.
The series of events will showcase Korean heritage as Busan hosts the 48th Session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee from July 19 to 29. This marks the first time Korea has hosted the gathering since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988.
Additional cultural performances will be held during the World Heritage Committee.
The Korea Heritage Agency will hold the "GOOD to GO in Busan: One Stage, All K-Arts" performance at the Bexco auditorium on July 26, with 120 acclaimed artists taking the stage.
A jongmyo jeryeak (royal ancestral ritual music) performance is held at the Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno District, central Seoul, on April 30.NEWS1
Performances will showcase Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage properties such as jongmyo jeryeak (royal ancestral ritual music), pansori (traditional narrative singing) and nongak (folk music). Performances will also feature sinawi (traditional improvisational folk music), dongnae hakchum (traditional dance from Dongnae region in Busan), and fusion gugak (traditional music).
Outdoor performances featuring gil nori (traditional parade), jultagi (traditional Korean tightrope walking) and pangut (folk music that includes drumming, dancing and singing) will take place at the Bexco Outdoor Plaza on July 25, at 6 p.m. The performance doesn't require tickets and can be watched by anyone.
The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency said they will "continue expanding opportunities for people to experience traditional arts, while using international events as a platform to share the value of Korea's National Intangible Cultural Heritage to the world."
