Today at 20:50
Korean Culture days were taking place in Kyiv for the first time.
Guests can learn to make dolls and decor items from traditional Hanji paper and to attend lectures on Korean art
Hanji paper can rightfully be called a Korean treasure. It is used not only for writing. Masters learn to make clothes, toys and dishes from it.
Korean paper is made from mulberry fibers. It is strong and durable. The oldest examples are up to a thousand years old. At the Hanji festival in Kyiv, Gimsuk Park taught Ukrainians how to make dolls from Hanji.
“First, the doll is made of paper, then it is shaped, dried and painted. It takes a long time to make them. For example, it takes three to four months to make big dolls,” she said.
Koreans honor centuries-old traditions, but also create new trends. One of them is K-Pop. Initially a musical genre, it has become a massive subculture with millions of fans around the world.
Korean cosmetics, food and movies are becoming increasingly popular. In 2019, Bong Joon-ho was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his movie Parasite.
“Korea. Well, probably in the first place I think of films, traditional Korean outfits,” said Hanji festival visistor Yevhenia.
The Korean language helps uncover the culture. The Korean Education Center has been working in Ukraine for two years. It conducts language classes and supports student exchange programs between Ukraine and South Korea.
“In order to learn Korean quickly, one needs to practice listening, and constantly practice speaking. Students struggle most often with pronunciation. Among the easier aspects I would highlight the alphabet because it is quite easy. And yes, Korean has an alphabet, not hieroglyphs as many think,” said a Director of Korean Education Center in Ukraine, Yoo Sang Beom.
Kyiv was marking the days of Korean culture for the first time. They ran between November 10 and 15. The program includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures and Korean fashion shows.
