Icheon, through designation as a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2010, was recognized for its significant value as a city with a long history in ceramics that harkens back to the Bronze Age. A variety of Korea’s finest ceramics, ranging from celadon ceramics boasting the beauty of pale jade-green glaze to white porcelains characterized by the beauty of space and symbolism and Buncheong ceramics presenting liberal and simple beauty, as well as the lifestyle and architecture of Icheon, are waiting to greet visitors. As the largest and foremost ceramic culture festival in Korea, the 28th Icheon Ceramics Festival offers festive events under the theme of “Creation, Moment of Romance” from August 29 to September 21.

This year’s Icheon Ceramics Festival was originally slated for April, but has been postponed to autumn due to the ferry Sewol disaster. As it had a long time to prepare, the festival was welcoming visitors in profusion.

A variety of events and programs are provided throughout the festival and include: Calligraphy Path, a plate calligraphy demonstration and special exhibition held by 50 invited calligraphers of Korea; a trend contest exhibition for ceramic signs; an exhibition presenting a grand variation created by tradition and experimentation; pottery demonstrations by ceramic masters and rising young ceramic artists; clay and spinning wheel experiences; and ceramic sales at the Ceramics Market.

There were children in a huddle completely absorbed in playing with clay. Surrounding a gigantic clay vessel taller than the children themselves, they were drawing dolls, flowers, animals, houses and their own artwork on the smooth surface of the white porcelain clay. The vessel served wonderfully as a sketchbook for children.

Of the programs offered by Icheon Ceramics Festival, the most popular among children is the Clay Experience in which children can make their own pottery pieces. All children express their own stories and wishes through the process of making a vessel while using a spinning wheel and painting colors on the piece. Distinctive ceramic vessels are created.

For those who do not have time for firing ceramics, another experiential program is available in which children draw on pre-made ceramics. Made of the same earth, they all have different features. Each and every of one of them is unique in the world.

In addition to experiential programs for making ceramics, another program is offered that enables children to feel clay, the heart of ceramics, with their own bodies by stomping and playing on clay with bare feet. The innocent looks of the children standing on the clay must be the most natural.

A very unusual scene that can be seen only at the Icheon Ceramics Festival started to take place; that is, creating a ceramic pot much taller than an adult and wider than adults arm span. The performance runs every weekend, and potters demonstrate Gyeongsangnam-do style Taryeomjil, building up clay beads, jiggering, and Jeolla-do style Taryeomjil.

Demonstrations by ceramic artists continued. Clay, bricks, wood and water are all that is needed. It is a raku firing demonstration during which you can witness the naturally occurring magical work of glaze.

After glazing, the pot is heated in a raku firing kiln. You can instantly see the colors change depending on exposure to the air which is controlled using rice chaff. Ceramics that are completely different in color and shape from those made by firing in a traditional kiln are produced. 

At Icheon Ceramics Festival, the largest ceramic market in Korea is being held with 119 ceramics studios from Icheon participating. Presenting a variety of ceramics in all genres, transcending the traditional and the contemporary, the Ceramics Market also offers special discounts of up to 50% on selected items.

Ceramic ware for daily use as well as artistic pieces reminiscent of celadon and white celadon of the Joseon Dynasty are on display. Ceramics, despite the crude feeling of earthenware, shine as daily necessities with a luxurious finish. I would just buy them all and share good food on the dishes with family members.

With prices ranging from just two Korean won to several million won, ceramics are quite divers in their uses and features. The fact that any type of ceramic is well matched to the surrounding landscape must be the charm that all ceramics have in common.

A special exhibition can be found at the exhibition hall featuring ceramics that represent the evolution of Icheon ceramics. Visitors can vote in a Popularity Award event and receive a beautiful ceramic piece as a present by lot. The 1st Icheon Ceramic Artist Exhibition presents new designs that are suitable for the popularization and wider use of ceramics in our daily lives.

A total of three Popularity awards will be presented based on visitor votes. As it may have a significant impact on the popularization of ceramics, I carefully looked at each piece of art exhibited. All the works bear traces of great efforts and careful deliberation.

After taking a careful look at all the artwork, I voted at the ballot box. What I really liked the most about the Icheon Ceramics Festival is that there are so many programs in which visitors can actively participate. No wonder it has been continuously loved as one of the most representative festivals in the region.

In another corner of the exhibition hall, winning entries from the trend contest for ceramic signs are on display. All the pieces exhibited are stylish, created with fresh new ideas. I was struck with admiration by each and every piece in the exhibition.

This is the Grand Prize winter, a sign for a book café made using ceramics baked in the shape of a brick. The calming colors and the unique way of expressing books are impressive.

It is a sign for a café that incorporates a garden of white porcelain flowers, reminiscent of white porcelain. Decorated with flowers, befitting the title of “Flower,” this second prize winner is pleasantly simple and beautiful.

The ceramics culture continued along a walkway at the festival venue. It is the Calligraphy Path, a special exhibition featuring 50 invited calligraphers of Korea. Ceramics and calligraphy are put together through a plate calligraphy demonstration and special exhibition to create this beautiful road.

Festivals are incomplete without delicious foods. As it is the harvest season, a variety of agriculture products are offered at the festival. Agriculture products that look farm fresh and food items carefully prepared by farming families make the festival far richer.

With various items to eat and activities to watch and enjoy, the Icheon Ceramics Festival is ideal and lacks nothing. The festival provided me with a chance to think over where our ceramics culture stands and to realize once again that we should carry forward our traditional culture. I hope that Icheon Ceramics Festival spreads across the world and lets the world know the beauty of Korea’s ceramics.

http://ggholic.tistory.com/9130

Broadcasting companies in the Seoul metropolitan area rush to select

the park as a location for photo coverage

◇ HallyuWorld Waterfront Park has been establishing a reputation as a location for spot coverage since it was recently selected by the MBC television network and YTN news network as a location for picture coverage for their weather reports. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

HallyuWorld Waterfront Park is loved by broadcasting companies as a location for picture coverage.

The HallyuWorld Taskforce Team of Gyeonggi Province reported that the 2^nd that HallyuWorld Waterfront Park has been earning a reputation as a location for spot coverage since it was recently selected by the MBC television network and YTN news network as a location for picture coverage for their weather reports.

After February 8, the MBC television network once again selected HallyuWorld Waterfront Park as a location of pictures for their morning program weather report of Aug 20.

Broadcasting company officials said, “It is not easy to find a place with a harmonious view of fountains, streams, and more in the metropolitan area. The HallyuWorld Waterfront Park is nicely laid out with diverse spaces.” They added, “We will come to shoot again and again as the view is beautiful not only during the daytime but also at night.”

HallyuWorld Taskforce Chief Hwang Seon-gu said, “The waterfront park has emerged as a charming place for Goyang citizens to jog and walk.” He added, “The view of the sunset and the LED lights at night are so particularly amazing that many people come for dates and to take pictures.”

Gyeonggi Province, when creating the HallyuWorld, installed harmonious lighting alongside Hallyu Stream on an approximately 600-meter section within the HallyuWorld complex following careful consideration of the night view and other various theme facilities such as the waterfront deck, observation platform, and Byeokcheon Fountain.

The night view of Waterfront Park consists of the night lighting of all facilities such as waterfronts, decks, fountains, trees and bridges, all of which feature four different sub-themes under the main theme of ‘Hallyu, New Wave Spread by Light.’

The HallyuWorld Taskforce Team will provide their full support so that many broadcasting companies will continue to come here to shoot coverage.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Roh Kyung-hee khrohh@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201409031011027055C049&s_code=C049

Gyeonggi Museum and Korean Horse Affairs Association hold special exhibition for Year of the Horse

◇ In celebration of 2015, the Year of the Horse, the Gyeonggi Museum and the Horse Museum of the Korean Horse Affairs Association are jointly hosting the World’s Horse Sculpture Exhibition. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

In celebration of 2015, the Year of the Horse, the Gyeonggi Museum and the Horse Museum of the Korean Horse Affairs Association are jointly hosting the World’s Horse Sculpture Exhibition.

From September 3 to October 5, the exhibition will showcase horse sculptures from Korea and many regions around the world including Asia, Europe, Africa, America and Oceania.

The exhibition runs daily from 10:00am until 6:00pm except for the first and third Mondays. The admission fee is KRW 4,000 for adults and college students (50% off for a group of 20 or more people), and KRW 2,000 for those under 19 years of age (50% off for a group of 20 or more people). Preschoolers, senior citizens (65 years or older), and the disabled can enter free of charge. A discount of 50% is offered to residents of Gyeonggi Province.

At the special exhibition in the Donated Relic Room of the Gyeonggi Museum, a variety of horse sculptures representing the unique cultures of each region will be displayed, including a horse statue from China’s Tang Dynasty and a beaded horse figure from South Africa.

In addition to the exhibition, experiential programs will also be offered. During the exhibition period, from 2:00pm every Saturday, an explanation about the exhibition as well as an experiential program in which children can create and exhibit their own horses will be provided, targeting elementary school students.

After finishing a first exhibition in the Gyeonggi Museum, a second exhibition will take place in the equine museum of Let’s Run Park in Seoul.

One Gyeonggi Provincial official said, “Owing to its gorgeous appearance and high economic value, which limited ownership to a small number of the ruling class, horses have been depicted in sculptures since ancient times for ornamentation, appreciation, and sacrificial offerings.” The official added, “The exhibition will introduce a variety of horse sculptures that are made of materials unique to each region including clay, silver, iron, glass and straw.”

◇ Exhibition sculpture (India) ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Roh Kyung-hee khrohh@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201409041015447055C049&s_code=C049

The weather has been confusing; it cannot decide weather or not we are in a rainy season. Both Ipchu (the first day of autumn) and Cheoseo (one of 24 seasonal divisions occurring about the end of August) have passed, and now the Chuseok holiday is around the corner. Time does fly, doesn’t it? While time waits for no one, there’s no better time for an outing than now with the onset of cooler weather as summer ends and autumn approaches.

For those who love to travel, it is time to enjoy outings and indulge in the gorgeous weather. So I’d like to introduce some great places to visit in great weather like we have now. 

A well-known tourist attraction close to the Seoul metropolitan area, Yangsu-ri in Yangpyeong is worth a visit.

Dumulmeori is the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Yangsu-ri.

Dumulmeori, which means a place where the Bukhangang River and Namhangang River meet, offers a magnificent view with an ancient-style ferry and a 400-year-old Zelkova tree. The scenery is beautiful beyond all description. Those who love to take pictures must have visited this place at least once before.

Much to my regret, all the pictures of Dumulmeori I have were taken during daytime only.

People say that you can take the best photos of damp early morning fog in the weather we have these days. They say the scenery reflected in the surroundings is like a beautiful painting. Unfortunately, I failed to seize the chance to take some great pictures, but I hope you try to take great pictures of the view.

If you’ve successfully captured the beautiful scenery with your camera, then seeing the majestic view with the naked eye, a definite treat, would be the best way to enjoy the charms of Dumulmeori to the fullest. 

If you’ve spent enough time in Dumulmeori, let’s move on to our next tourist attraction. It is located right next to Dumulmeori, so we can walk there.

It takes only five to ten minutes on foot. Located within walking distance of Dumulmeori, the second attraction of Yangsu-ri is Baedari, a pontoon bridge.

Baedari is a replica of the bridge of 52 boats that was constructed on the Bukhangang River between Dumulmeori and Semiwon during the Joseon Dynasty for King Jeongjo’s visit to the Royal Tombs. The pontoon bridge, replicated in its 250-meter length and 4-meter width, is considered among the best in terms of scale, splendor and technique.

Walking cross the pontoon bridge, you will see Sehanjeong, a garden modeled after Sehando, one of the most celebrated ink paintings of Kim Jeong-hui.

Once you enter the garden, the scene of Sehando lays before you as if the painting has sprung into the three-dimensional world. One gnarled pine tree, contrasting with the long stretches of tall trees, and a simple house in the background are exactly as in the painting.

After gaining historical knowledge while walking through Baedari and Sehanjeong, follow the waterside trail; it will lead to the highlight of today’s tour, Semiwon.

Called a garden of water and flowers, Semiwon is a natural purification garden created with support of KRW 10 billion from Gyeonggi Province. The name “Semiwon” comes from the words of Chuang-tzu, meaning “cleansing one’s mind by looking at water and enlightening one’s spirit by looking at flowers.”

Semiwon, renowned for lotus flowers, presents the beauty of lotus flowers in each and every corner. The water jar fountain, a reproduction of the jangdokade located in Changdeokgung Palace, is another grand sight of Semiwon.

Most of all, Semiwon, well designed with waterside trails, is also an ideal place to take a walk and refresh your mind. It is ideal to visit, especially in these days of weather that is neither cold nor hot.

I’ve introduced the major tourist attractions of Yangsu-ri in the order of Domulmeori, Baedari, Sehanjeong and Semiwon. It doesn’t matter if the course is followed either in the order I introduced or in the opposite direction. Fall is just around the corner. How about taking a trip to nearby Yangsu-ri?

Story and Photos by Master of Transfer

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/story_news_view.asp?BS_CODE=S043&number=74&sel2=

Gyeonggi Province selects 10 Top destinations for Tourism Week

◇ Gyeonggi Province has selected 10 top destinations for Tourism Week (9.25-10.5). During this period, a wide variety of events and festivals will take place in Gyeonggi Province. Pictured: Pine Nut Fragrance Forest ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

For Tourism Week (9.25-10.5), Gyeonggi Province has selected 10 top tourist destinations.

During this period, a wide variety of events and festivals will take place in Gyeonggi Province. Discount events will be also offered by a total of 141 businesses including lodging and food service establishments, performing arts organizations, stores, and tourist attractions.

The top 10 themes Gyeonggi Province selected for the autumn tourism week are: ▲Pine Nut Fragrance Forest Healing (Gapyeong); ▲Memorable Autumn Tour along Forest Paths and Waterways (Pocheon, Namyangju); ▲Anseong Machum Tour through Seeing, Hearing, Tasting and Enjoying (Yongin, Anseong); ▲Walking Pyeonghwa-Nuri Road in Autumn Colors (Yeoncheon); ▲Healing Camp in Nature (Gimpo, Pocheon, Paju); ▲Bike Tour into Water Painting (Namyangju, Yangpyeong, Yeoju); ▲Textbook Experiential Tour: Seeking the History of the Korean Peninsula (Yangju, Yeoncheon); ▲Textbook Experiential Tour: Lessons Learned from Nature (Hwaseong, Ansan); ▲Camping to Farming Village & School of Returning to Farms to Enrich Body and Mind (Paju); and ▲Tour Seeking Happiness at the End of a Road (Goyang).

During the tourism week, a total of 25 lodging businesses, 23 restaurants, 31 experiential facilities, 16 shopping and performance centers, and 46 tourist attractions will offer discount events. For detailed information, please refer to the Tourism Week website (fall.visitkorea.or.kr).

Detailed information about discounts and major events offered during the tourism week as well as recommendations about tours are available through the Tourism Week website. The website has a search engine that provides customized results matching criteria selections in tour period, region, and theme.

Tourism Week began for the first time last May as a means of creating demand for domestic tourism. It takes place twice a year (in spring and autumn) with the aim of vitalizing local tourism and distributing tourist demand, which is usually concentrated in the summer season.

One Gyeonggi Provincial official said “We’ve prepared recommendations about tour courses by themes and target age groups for comprehensive autumn tours.” The official added, “Please check out the Tourism Week website for information about discounts near tour destinations and enjoy your autumn tour to the fullest.”

□ September Tourism Week: Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Gyeonggi Province

◇ Top 10 Autumn Tour Destinations selected by Gyeonggi Province ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

ⓒ Gyeonggi G News | Chun Kyung-nam ckn0403@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201409021336377055C049&s_code=C049

The hot and humid weather proves that we’ve entered the monsoon season, the season during which sudden rain showers make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities. But it was somewhat depressing to stay home on the weekends, so I searched for libraries on the internet, found one public music library in Paju City, and went to visit that library. Though I don’t understand classic music well, I sometimes enjoy listening to it. Jazz and pop songs are, needless to say, also enjoyable. The name ‘Music Library’ gave me the expectation that I would be able to experience a wide variety of classic music.

This is Garam Library in Unjeong of Paju City. How pretty the name is. It is said that Garam is what Gang (‘river’ in Korean) used to be called long before, and I think the name, Garam Library, has that meaning. Garam Library is located about a 10-minute walk from Unjeong Station of Gyeongui Line. The beautiful scenery on the way made the walk felt very short.

Nearing the library I could understand at a glance why it is called a music library. It houses the ‘Solgaram Art Hall,’ and a classical music hall, as well. It seems no concert has recently taken place except for a popular classical concert that was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony in March. It would be great if the hall could host classical concerts more often. Such popular classical concerts generally take place in limited locations in Seoul only. In some ways, all regions other than Seoul are culturally isolated, and so I hope that this library serves as a multi-purpose cultural space for Paju residents. I look forward to future classical concerts.

The entrance didn’t differ from other general libraries. An exhibit of paintings was being held in the lobby. The monthly schedule was packed with various events and programs. It felt like a nice place to enjoy being together with local residents. 

Shall we explore the library? Since Unjeong is a new town and has huge apartment complexes, many youths are visible in the library and on the roads. A number of schools are located nearby as well, so the library provides separate spaces for children.

From the entrance onwards, the library seems somewhat special. Garam Library, as a music library, welcomes visitors with pictures of greatest musicians such as Mozart and Bach. The combination of a library and music seems strange but well matched.

The room is filled with books for children. A mother and a child, choosing books together, appear very charming.

Garam Library is well equipped with various amenities. Book search stands like those usually found in large bookstores are available in the library. Garam Library also paid great attention to the provision of convenience of its visitors with separate spaces for resting. Some middle school students are taking a rest there. They must have been tired of studying. The library also has children’s toilets and a private room for breastfeeding. Wouldn’t this make mothers feel more comfortable about coming here with their babies?

Let’s go downstairs. Above ground, the library and the art hall are two separate buildings, but they are connected underground. I see the music library, the highlight of Garam Library. Rest areas, well arranged from the entrance to the music library, look perfect for taking a break together with friends. Shelves full of music CDs make me feel rich. Over 4600 pieces of music are stocked here, and they are available for borrowing.

Garam Library is well equipped with various amenities. Book search stands like those usually found in large bookstores are available in the library. Garam Library also paid great attention to the provision of convenience of its visitors with separate spaces for resting. Some middle school students are taking a rest there. They must have been tired of studying. The library also has children’s toilets and a private room for breastfeeding. Wouldn’t this make mothers feel more comfortable about coming here with their babies?

Let’s go downstairs. Above ground, the library and the art hall are two separate buildings, but they are connected underground. I see the music library, the highlight of Garam Library. Rest areas, well arranged from the entrance to the music library, look perfect for taking a break together with friends. Shelves full of music CDs make me feel rich. Over 4600 pieces of music are stocked here, and they are available for borrowing.

There are also beautiful spaces to enjoy music. How about listening to music with headphones by the windows, like a scene from a TV drama? Audio and video rooms are available as well for listening to music and watching movies.

Garam Library, newly constructed, is so elaborately structured that I lost track of the time just looking around. According to the brochure, this library offers various events for local residents, such as film screenings and book discussions; these take place not only on weekends but also on weekdays. I truly envy the people living in the Unjeong area. 

The front yard is wide open, and bike stands are conveniently placed to allow everyone come and enjoy the facilities anytime in a leisurely manner.

The surroundings of Garam Library are also well landscaped, so it would be nice to enrich your mind with books and music, and then go out for a walk nearby. The fresh green leaves will wash your stress away.

Next to the library is Korean Park, a good place for a date. The bridge encountered on the way to Unjeong Station has such a beautiful name: Chaekhyangki Bridge. The name, meaning the ‘scent of books’, fits well with Garam Library and the identity of Paju City as a publishing and cultural community. The entire area of Unjeong gives off the feeling of a cultural place.

In addition to the Garam Library introduced today, there are many more specialized libraries in Gyeonggi Province. The Science Library in Uijeongbu has an Astro-Space Experience Center (link to Astro-Space Experience Center), and the Central Library in Gunpo (link to Central Library) specializes in the humanities. There are so many unique and interesting libraries that I cannot name them all. There are over 100 special libraries in Gyeonggi Province, and every single one of them would be a perfect destination for a date or family visits both during the hot summer and cold winter. Which library shall we go to next weekend?

http://ggholic.tistory.com/8902

                                                                                     Written by Andrew Jin

Most people are aware of the 7 mysteries of the world including Stonehenge, UFOs, crop circles, and so on. If one more could be suggested, I would choose Suwon Hwaseong Fortress in Gyeonggi Province, where we can see remarkable scientific structures made during the Joseon Dynasty.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is similar to a new town of today. It was comprehensively prepared and incorporated new building methods. For example, the scientist Jeong Yakyong invented a machine called Geojunggi that used wheels to lift heavy objects more easily. Also, according to Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe, which recorded all aspects of the fortress, the structure featured strong defensive facilities and structures. Gongsimdon has many ports for firing canons and pouring boiling water to defend against attackers. Chiseong and Ongseong are a part of the strong stone fortifications. These facilities have been highly praised and successfully enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Moreover, the history of the Hwaseong Fortress is connected with classes taught in school. Fifth grade elementary school students start learning about the development of Joseon. By visiting the fortress, they can absorb such knowledge in a faster, easier, and more interesting manner.

Happiness is not far away. A short drive to Gyeonggi Province will provide you with a greater chance to learn history, and offer you a wider experience. A visit to Suwon Hwaseong with your family next week would be a good idea.

Storytelling library

◇ Watching stars in the night sky and chatting about books at Osan Kkumdure Library ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

“Have you heard of a ‘play library’ where you can read while you play? For those who had to sit at a desk to learn, that sounds like a dream. What would it have been like if learning and studying in childhood had begun with play, and learning through play had been repeated for knowledge acquisition? Wouldn’t we now always be holding a book in one hand and reading at a café or on a park bench on a daily basis?”

◇ The Kkumdure Library that opened in April 12 is an innovative library in which visitors can watch performances and enjoy various experiences while reveling with books. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

It sounds too good to be true, but there is a place where you can enjoy books while playing at a dreamlike library that blends education, culture, experience and play: the Kkumdure Library, which is located at 20, Semayeok-ro, Osan City. The Kkumdure Library, an experiential public library that opened on April 12 in the Segyo area in Osan City of Gyeonggi Province, is an innovative library where visitors can watch performances and enjoy various experiences while reveling with books.

At first, the name of the library itself is unique. Kkumdure Library is a compound word made up of “kkum (dream),” “dure (together)” and “library,” indicating that the library nurtures the dreams of local residents. Its primary operating goal is to become a library of ‘happy-learning education, rich culture, fun play experiences, and convenient open use.’ On the basis of this goal, the library plans to continuously explore and operate various programs such as innovative training, lifelong learning, reading promotion, cultural classes, invitational lectures, performances, exhibitions, presentations, events, proposals, field trips, book camps, reading camps, natural exploration areas, and much more.

◇ The Kkumdure Library is a dreamlike library that blends education, culture, experience and play. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

The Kkumdure Library features a remarkably unique architectural design with a total floor area of 5223㎡ (1 story below ground and two above ground). The Study Hall and Reading Hall, which are traditional reading rooms, along with the stack rooms, hold a collection of 25,771 books. Experiential facilities such as the Children’s Reference Room, Toddler’s Room, Multipurpose Hall, Cultural Classroom, Outdoor Performance Stage, Reading Campground, and Nature Exploration Area also increase the enjoyment of children. With the Dolmen Park, Sports Park and Mulhyanggi Arboretum nearby, the library is truly customized for play. Children can run around the playground and then go directly to the Children’s Room on the first floor to read books. Of particular note, the entrance to the Children’s Room features washstands for children to wash their faces after playing in the dirt. Moreover, children can get their reading logs stamped with the titles of books they borrow, thereby increasing their desire to read.

The Kkumdure Library hosted an overnight reading camp for children to spend time with parents and friends in celebration of Family Month in May. The reading camp took place in the underground Multipurpose Hall and the first-floor Children’s Room every Friday 7 p.m. to Saturday 7 a.m. This program consisted of a user guide of the library, book quiz, games, confectionery-house making, free reading, and film viewing to foster the dreams of the children.

◇ The Reading Campground runs twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays, from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. the next day. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

The first reading campground in Korea established in a library, the Kkumdure Library Reading Campground is truly fantastic. It is a pleasant space for the whole family to spend a night reading in the library, strengthen family bonds and create new memories while watching the moon and stars. Starting on April 18, the Reading Campground runs twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays, from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. the next day. It consists of an accommodations building with electric pads, and four buildings with low wooden benches used in putting up tents. To use the campground, you must be a member of the Osan Library and a member of a family with elementary or middle-school children; you are required to submit a book review with your children when leaving the camp. May was already fully booked with 40 teams (4 teams per session) on a first-come, first-served basis through reservations received between April 27 and 29.

◇ “I want to read with my children and chat as we watch the stars in the night sky, and give them a memorable experience,” said Seo Joo-yeon, who entered Building 101 on April 25. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

At 6:30 p.m. on April 25, Osan Elementary School teacher Seo Joo-yeon entered Building 101 “Daffodil” with her daughter, who is in the fourth grade of elementary school, and seven-year-old son. She laid out her belongings on a bench and prepared dinner with her children while her husband ran a little late from work. “I happened to apply for the camp for the opening ceremony, and fortunately my application was accepted,”she said. “I want to read with my children and chat as we watch the stars in the night sky, and give them a memorable experience.”

The Nature Exploration Area is also expected to attract children’s attention. It is a place where children from nursery facilities can raise their own vegetables and flowers to learn the value of nature and cultivate emotions. Nine nursery facilities including daycare centers and kindergartens located in Osan City with children aged 3 to 5 (10 to 20 children) are selected on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program will run from May to November. The facility provides seeds and seedlings, and farming tools will be provided by the Nature Exploration Area. Children can visit once a week to see and manage the vegetables and flowers they planted, while also enjoying reading. The Kkumdure Library will open all unused facilities and spaces at the library so that anyone can use them for neighborhood meetings or club activities. The Kkumdure Library is closed every third Monday of the month. It is located 10 minutes away from the Sema Subway Station, and 2 minutes away from the Sema Middle and High School Bus Station. A few performances and reading camps were canceled in early May due to the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred on April 16.

● Interview with Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan

◇ Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan ⓒ Osan Jungang Library

“With an average age of 33.9, Osan is the youngest city in Gyeonggi Province, and has enforced policies focusing on education and childcare. Accordingly, the Kkumdure Library offers various programs in order to provide a place for citizens to rest comfortably, experience many things with books, and have an enjoyable time.”

Regarding the unusual appearance of the Kkumdure Library, Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan explained that it is due to the emphasis on education and childcare. In fact, the interior decorations and outdoor environment of the Kkumdure Library are different from other libraries. Unique ideas are applied in various places, creating a warm, friendly atmosphere. The Kkumdure Library does not have many books yet, aiming to be a library that is not filled but is instead in the process of being filled. It operates Free Bookshelves which feature books donated by citizens.

The procedure is simple so that many people can make donations and conveniently use the books. All this contributes to developing literary imagination. “We have promoted a book donation drive targeting the younger generations in schools, apartment buildings, and parents’ cafes, and these efforts were successful,” said Director Kim. “As of today, just two weeks after the opening, we have over 1,000 donated books. We will create stories as we fill the bookshelves with books with the help of citizens. The Kkumdure Library will be complete, filled with dreams and stories, 10 to 20 years from now,” he added with confidence.

Regarding the unique idea of book donation, Director Kim said, “I wanted to go beyond the concept of a library as just a place to lend books, and create a new library like a marketplace where you can exchange books all the time. It adopts a free bookstand system through which you can donate books that you have finished to the library, and freely check out books that you want to read. This system is expected be well received by citizens as there is no pressure to return books before the due date.”

The Kkumdure Library offers various programs. Director Kim particularly emphasized a program entitled “Overnight Reading Camp with Dad.” He said it was good to see children draw closer, talk more and get to know fathers around whom they had first felt slightly awkward. He mentioned that it is sometimes so touching that it brings tears to his eyes.

“It’s really touching when fathers and children write down their true feelings in the reviews after all the book review activities and games are over. Children usually pester their fathers to read more, far into the night, while the fathers want to go to bed. But it’s quite a pleasant argument.”

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Reporter Park Gwan-sik

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201405141559327055C059&s_code=C059

◇ The Gyeonggi Provincial Museum hosts a special exhibition entitled The Tea, Healing and Joy. ⓒ Reporter Seong Ye-eun

There is an exhibition where you can see the past and present of Korean tea culture at a glance.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Museum opened its first special exhibition of 2014, the Korean Tea Culture Fair, on April 30.

The exhibition, entitled The Tea, Healing and Joy, displays over 200 relics related to tea culture from all over the country. The displays are divided into three general areas: Tea and Life (Part I), Scent of Tea in Painting (Part II), and Healing Zone (Part III).

◇ Types of tea (left) and teapots (right) ⓒ Reporter Seong Ye-eun

From encountering the pleasure of tea to drinking it, the ‘Tea and Life’ section reveals the composure of our ancestors through the works of modern Korean painters and folding landscape screens.

At Encountering Pleasure, one of the sections of Part I, it is much easier to understand the exhibits if you have some basic information on tea. In Part I, you can also see items from Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, and Cho-eui Eui-sun, who strived to revive a tea culture that had subsided, with exhibits of records such as letters and publications involving tea. You can feel traditional Korean tea culture by examining teas in gatherings and parties or portrayed on folding screens, or by seeing tea bowls.

◇ Scent of Tea on Painting Exhibition Hall (left), and parts of Healing Zone (center, right) ⓒ Reporter Seong Ye-eun

It is not uncommon to find Joseon paintings on the theme of tea. In Part II, Scent of Tea in Painting, you can see tea culture masterpieces of noblemen in Joseon Dynasty paintings. Works such as Kim Hong-do’s Gunhyeondo (The Nineteen Taoist Immortals), Jukritangeum, and Gosainmuldo, Shim Sa-jeong’s Songhaeumda, and Lee In-mun’s  Surohangeo are exhibited, and the displays will be replaced at regular intervals.

In Part III, Healing Zone, located in front of the entrance of the museum, you can also take a rest. By setting up a tea farm with tea trees and offering various types of tea samples, you have a chance to enjoy serenity and a general overview of tea culture.

“Under the title of The Tea, Healing and Joy, the comma (,) conveys repose and composure, and the word ‘joy’ conveys friendly dialog,” said Gyeonggi Provincial Museum curator Lee Seong-jun, who prepared this exhibition. “If visitors crave a cup of tea after appreciating this exhibition, then I’d say this exhibition is a success.”

This special exhibition is expected to remind visitors of the true charm of tea, which has long provided an occasion for communication between people, healing the mind and adding serenity to life.

The exhibition will take place at the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum located in Gi-heung-gu of Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, until August 24. The displays will be replaced at the mid-way point of the exhibition for preservation. The entrance fee is KRW 4,000 for adults, KRW 2,000 for teenagers and soldiers, and free for preschool children. Residents of Gyeonggi Province can receive a 25% discount.

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Gyeonggi Junior Reporter Seong Ye-eun syyc9372@naver.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201405281209396491C083&s_code=C083

38th session of World Heritage Committee announces on June 22 that Namhansanseong will finally be inscribed on World Heritage List

Joint efforts of Gyeonggi Province and Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative for inscription finally pay off

Gyeonggi Province completes mid and long-term development plan ‘to make the fortress an internationally-renowned tourist attraction’

◇The World Heritage Committee finally inscribed Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List at 9:35 am (15:35 Korea Time) on June 22 during the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee that took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

Located in Gyeonggi Province, Namhansanseong was selected as Korea’s 11th UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

According to Gyeonggi Province, the World Heritage Committee finally inscribed Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List at 9:35 am (15:35 Korea time) on June 22 during the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee that took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar.

It has been four years since a Korean cultural site was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The historic villages of Yangdong and Hahoe were inscribed in 2010. Korea now has 11 cultural heritage sites including Seokgulam and Bulguksa, Haeinsa Janggyeong Panjeon, Jongmyo Shrine (in 1995), Changdeok Palace, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (1997), the historic remains of Gyeongju, Hwasun and the Ganghwa Dolmen Sites, (2000), Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (2007), the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (2009), and the historic villages of Yangdong and Hahoe.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee examined 40 sites (28 cultural sites, 9 natural sites, and 3 natural and cultural sites) out of 49 sites submitted for inscription. Nine sites were eliminated from nomination during an initial evaluation. Among the 40, Namhansanseong was examined as the 24th site, and officially inscribed.

As soon as the inscription of Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List was confirmed, Governor Gyeonggi Province Kim Moon-soo, who led the provincial delegation to the session, said during his appreciation speech to the World Heritage Committee that “I am so glad to see Namhansanseong taking another step towards a new future here today. The Republic of Korea and Gyeonggi Province will implement policies to preserve the site’s outstanding universal value to humanity based on strong protection schemes and budgetary support for Namhansanseong, a historic center of East Asia”.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the World Heritage Committee, recommended Namhansanseong for inscription in its evaluation report last April. Thus, it was anticipated that Namhansanseong would be inscribed.

◇The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee took place on the morning of June 22 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

□ Why did UNESCO inscribed Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List?

World Culture Heritage Sites are those that have the outstanding universal value. The World Heritage Committee has 10 different selection criteria to evaluate such outstanding universal value, and cultural sites must meet at least one of them.

According to the evaluation report by ICOMOS, Namhansanseong satisfied 2 selection criteria:

II) The site exhibits an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design.

IV) The site must be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history.

ICOMOS determined that Namhansanseong has world heritage value for the following reasons: 1) the fortress is a military site featuring a notable combination of weapon development and fortification technologies in the East Asian region, and is the only fortress city built as an emergency capital to protect the autonomy and independence of the Joseon Dynasty; and 2) it demonstrates significant development stages of fortification technologies from the 7th to 19th centuries through the construction of walls and defensive facilities incorporating natural geographic features.

Nanhansanseong has a facility named Yeojang in which soldiers could shelter while using rifles or bows, as well as Chongan, apertures for shooting, and a contravallation. The fortress changed in form according to the development of weapons from merely having a wall in its early stages.

Namhansanseong had Haenggung, a temporary palace, in its center with Jwajeon, a shrine on the left, and Usil, an altar. Nanhamsanseong also has a fortress gate which had been built based on the Fengshui of the Zhou Dynasty of China, referred to as Juryedonggwangogonggi. ICOMOS determined that this element satisfied selection criterion II, which stresses the exchange of human values.

In addition, Namhansanseong encompasses fortress remains over the years from the Unified Silla Dynasty of the 7th century to the Joseon Dynasty during the reigns of Injo, Sukjong, Yeongjo and Jeongjo. This demonstrates the development of fortification technologies over the years in one place, and satisfies selection criterion IV which requires the illustration of significant stages in human history.

ICOMOS also highly evaluated the following:

1) The property reflecting world heritage value has been well preserved through an effective legal protection scheme and the Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative, an integrated private organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the site from a perspective of perfection.

2) The forms, designs, materials and functions as well as historic elements of the site are validated by diverse historical records including Samgulsagi, The Chronicles of Three States, in terms of authenticity.

◇ Governor Kim Moon-soo attends the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

□  What does the inscription of Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List mean?

The inscription of Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List is of great significance because it denotes the international recognition of Namhansanseong for its outstanding universal value. With its inscription, Namhansanseong has gained international attention, and is expected to secure technological and financial support from the UNESCO World Heritage Center.

An increasing number of tourists are expected as a result of the inscription on the World Heritage List. Because Namhansanseong is located near Seoul, the inscription is likely to lead to a greater increase of both domestic and foreign tourists relative to other sites. If Namhansanseong is highlighted as one of the must-see tourist attractions for foreigners in Korea, it will contribute to the vitalization of the local economy as well.

For Gyeonggi Province, it is also noteworthy that the provincial initiative to have the fortress inscribed on the World Heritage List was successful. While the inscription drives for other World Heritage Sites were led by the central government, the inscription of Namhansanseong was led by a joint effort of Gyeonggi Province and a private organization, the Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative. (Please see the efforts of Gyeonggi Province described on Page 6.) This case is likely to be benchmarked by other municipal governments. In addition, Gyeonggi became Korea’s only province to have a palace (Suwon Hwaseong) and a fortress (Namhansanseong) inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List.

□  Development directions of Namhansanseong after inscription

Gyeonggi Province and the Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative were confident that Namhansanseong would be inscribed as World Heritage List. The province identified key projects, and established a mid and long-term plan to develop the fortress after inscription in February.

Gyeonggi Province will celebrate the inscription at Namhansanseong Haenggung on July 24, and subsequently hold ‘a celebration ceremony for the inscription of Namhansanseong on the World Heritage’ to announce future visions. On the following day, Gyeonggi Province will hold an international academic symposium in celebration of Namhansanseong’s inscription on the World Heritage List’, and define directions to preserve and manage this World Heritage Site.

In September, Gyeonggi Province plans to complete the production and deployment of the UNESCO World Heritage Namhansanseong logo, and will hold a nation-wide cultural festival in celebration of the inscription on September 20 to actively attract tourists.

In the mid and longer terms, Gyeonggi Province will: 1) implement systematic preservation measures required by UNESCO to meet international standards for the tangible and intangible assets of Nanhansanseong; 2) establish a visitor management system in anticipation of a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the site; and 3) carry out diverse initiatives to affirm the status of Namhansanseong as a World Heritage Site by establishing a cultural tourism belt that links the fortress with Suwon Hwaseong and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, which have already been inscribed on the World Heritage List.

◇Namhansanseong Haenggung ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

□ How was the inscription of Namhansanseong on the World Heritage List made possible?

Efforts to have Namhansanseong inscribed on the World Heritage List began 7 years ago, in July of 2007, when managing authority was passed to Gyeonggi Province from Gwangju City, which had held authority over the site for more than 30 years.

Designated as a provincial park in 1971, Namhansanseong was separately managed by the forest divisions of Gwangju, Hanam and Seongnam without systematic management. Governor Kim Moon-soo visited Namhansanseong in January 2007, and recommended a change in the management system, saying, “As a provincial park, Namhansanseong has to be preserved as a whole by the provincial government”.

Afterwards, he also said, “Namhansanseong is a living museum that saw fierce fighting against invaders”. He added, “It is waste of money to spend about KRW 2 to 3 billion on unqualified museums.” He also promised considerable support.

After the management system was changed, Gyeonggi Province launched Korea’s first private professional world heritage site management body, the Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative, in 2009 with a mandate to preserve Namhansanseong. Since then, Gyeonggi Province has spent over KRW 4.7 billion on key projects to preserve the fortress and have it inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Led by the Namhansanseong Culture & Tourism Initiative, Namhansanseong was officially nominated for the tentative list in January of 2010, and selected as a priority property on the local tentative list of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea in February of 2011.

The application for inscription on the World Heritage List was submitted in January of 2013. Namhansanseong was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List in June of 2014 following a site inspection by the ICOMOS in September of 2013.

Since 2000, Gyeonggi Province has spent a total of KRW 68.4 billion (a provincial budget of KRW 53.8 billion and a national budget of KRW 14.6 billion) on the Namhansanseong restoration project, and provided a total of KRW 2.04 billion (a provincial budget of KRW 1.9 billion and a national budget of KRW 140 million) on the World Heritage List inscription project.

What is a ‘World Heritage Site’?

A World Heritage Site is a place of significant value to be protected for humanity among the cultural heritage sites of states parties acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee in accordance with the convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 17th session of the general conference in November of 1972.

The Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage was ratified by 20 states, and entered into force in 1975. As of 2012, there are a total of 191 member states, with Korea having joined in 1988. World Heritage Sites are classified as ‘Cultural Heritage’ of historically significant value, ‘Natural Heritage’ that represents the history of the Earth, and Cultural and Natural Heritage. As of 2013, 987 sites from 172 member countries have been inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The World Heritage Committee convenes daily between June and July, and makes the final decision on the inscription of cultural and natural heritage sites submitted by member states. Generally speaking, it takes approximately a year and a half from the submission of a world heritage application to the final decision on inscription.

◇ Namhansanseong Gojidocheop . ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

□ Namhansanseong is…

Namhansanseong was designated as a historic site No. 57 when the cultural property protection laws were enacted and enforced in January of 1963. Namhansanseong is generally comprised of the fortress area and the Haenggung (temporary royal palace) area.

The fortress wall has a total length of 11.76 km, with the main fortress comprising 9.5km and the outer fortress comprising 2.71 km. The total area is 36.447 ㎢ with an inner area of 2.317 ㎢ (6%) and an outer area of 34.130 ㎢ (94%). Of the total area, 22.920 ㎢ (63%) falls under the jurisdiction of Gwangju City, while 8.818 ㎢ (24%) belongs to Hanam City and 4.709 ㎢ (13%) to Seongnam City.

Namhansanseong has 6 cultural properties including Sueojangdae, Yeonmugwan, Sungyeoljeon, Cheongryangdang, Hyeonjeolsa and Chimgwaejeong as well as Haenggung and two monuments, Mangweolsaji and Gaewonsaji, all of which have been recognized by Gyeonggi Province. A total of 3.2 million tourists visit Namhansanseong every year. Therefore, the fortress is well equipped with various amenities including a parking lot, rest rooms, trails, a hall of history, an outdoor performance stage, and a square.

Few fortresses like Namhansanseong remain.

Namhansanseong was first built in 672 under the name of Jujangseong during the reign of King Munmu of the Silla Dynasty. At that time, Namhansanseong was the forward base in preparations to ward off attacks by the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Lee Se-Wha, Governor of Gwangju during the Koryo Dynasty, prevented invasions by Mongolian forces in 1231 and 1232 from Namhansanseong.

The reconstruction of Namhansanseong began in 1624 during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty, and was completed in 1626. Namhansanseong Haenggung was completed in 1626 during the reign of King Injo, and King Injo stayed at the site for 47 days to defend against an Manchu invasion. Afterwards, Sukjong, Yeongjo, and Jeongjo stayed at Namhansanseong Haenggung on their way to Yeongneung, the royal tomb of King Sejong.

In the late Joseon Dynasty, Namhansanseong was used as a base by anti-Japanese forces, and a large part of the facilities within the fortress were destroyed when Japan demolished the fortress in 1907.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G- News | Park Gwan-Sik malbut@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201406230847273307C048&s_code=C048