Master horsehair hat maker Park Chang-yeong, right, and his son Park Hyung-park, demonstrate traditional horsehair hat making at the K-Heritage House exhibition in BEXCO, Busan, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Park Jin-hai
BUSAN — As Korea hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time since joining the organization in 1988, a major cultural showcase in Busan is drawing massive crowds eager to experience the nation's traditional heritage powered by cutting-edge technology.
Since its opening on Monday at BEXCO, the K-Heritage House is drawing attention from locals and committee meeting participants. The special exhibition introduces Korea’s UNESCO-listed assets and heritage administration policies across four themed zones: an archive tracing the past, present and future of heritage; a living intangible heritage zone; a technology-driven heritage section; and interactive activity spaces.
Living heritage: Master craftsmen in action
The highlight for many visitors is a joint public demonstration featuring master artisans holding National Intangible Cultural Heritage titles. Craftsmen demonstrate intricate traditional techniques, including making a traditional "gat" (horsehair hat), embroidery, needlework, mother-of-pearl inlay, fine woodworking, horsehair cap-weaving, woodcarving and engraving. Hands-on workshops also allow guests to craft mini gat, Hanbok keychains, and mother-of-pearl tumbler cups.
