Traditional art of hanji is on display in Paris festival

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Traditional art of hanji is on display in Paris festival

WONJU, Gangwon ― An exhibit of artwork made from hanji, or traditional Korean paper, is being held in Paris until April 4, the Hanji Development Institute said.
The exhibition, titled “Hanji Culture Festival,” is aimed at displaying Korea’s traditional art form to the world and further developing marketing opportunities abroad, according to the institute, located in Wonju, Gangwon province.
The opening ceremony, held in the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris last Thursday evening, local time, was attended by 900 guests, including French government officials, politicians, and the media and diplomatic corps from various countries. About 100 Korean National Assemblymen and government officials participated.
The event included a fashion show, with the theme “Harmony and Transmigration, the Life Force of the Orient,” in which 50 items of clothing made from traditional Korean paper were showcased.
During the exhibition period, 26 lanterns made from hanji will be displayed in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, under the theme of “The Light of Coexistence ― Color of South Korea.” In addition, dolls and clothes made from hanji, as well as other forms of handicrafts, will be on display.
Visitors can also try their hand at creating art with hanji. A traditional Korean folk dance performance, samulnori, will also be presented, along with Korean movies, an oral narration of Korean children’s stories, traditional dance performances and the sale of hanji-made crafts and other goods.
A seminar, which will be attended by officials from the Louvre museum, will be held to study ways in which hanji can become a world-class cultural product.
Kim Jin-hee, executive chairman of the Paris Hanji Festival preparatory committee, said, “The significance of this festival is that it is a chance to show the world South Korea’s exceptional traditional culture of hanji, and to publicize Wonju, the heartland of hanji.”
Ms. Kim added that the committee is currently discussing holding further exhibitions. In particular, it is making efforts to hold a culture festival in Berlin.


by Lee Chan-ho
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