Friday, March 29, 2024
LANGUAGE&CULTURE

Hangul Day Calligraphy Contest (Oct 9)

So the sageuk drama Deep Rooted Tree  ( a murder mystery set in the weeks before the creation of Hangul) starts  tomorrow (Oct 5) and a few days later it’s Hangul Day. (Oct 9) Surely this is not a coincidence? There are lots of events coming up next week for Hangul Day (see below) including calligraphy competitions and exhibitions so this is the time of year when I always kick myself for not going to my calligraphy class! I love the idea of doing magnificent Hangul calligraphy but I suppose I just don’t have the perseverance to keep going. But maybe I’ll be inspired watching this drama… 

 Seoul Calligraphy museum 

 Here’s some information from the Korea Tourism organisation and an article from the Chosun Ilbo about upcoming events. BTW they are both spelling Hangul with an ‘e’ – Hangeul –  but I usually see it spelt without the e – Hangul. Which way is correct? I don’t know but I’ll stick to the spelling without the ‘e’ because I prefer it. ( but that’s why there are two spellings of hangeul, I mean hangul, in this post.

 Major Events for 2011 Hangeul Day

Every year, October 9th is observed as Hangeul Day in Korea. Hangeul, the native Korean alphabet that was invented by King Sejong (reign 1418-1450), has been hailed as one of the most scientific writing systems in the world, and enlisted as a UNESCO Memory of the World since 1997.

On this year’s Hangeul Day, a wide range of events are scheduled to take place at such major tourist attractions as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Memorial Museum of King Sejong the Great, and Gwanghwamun Square in celebration of Hangeul. Highlights among the events include ‘Letters Alive,’ an exhibition of the origins of Hangeul and other alphabets, a typography exhibition, a Hangeul calligraphy gallery, as well as various performances and participatory programs. Furthermore, Korean language departments at major universities will also hold diverse events on Hangeul Day.

via Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Major Events for 2011 Hangeul Day. (click for a list of the events that are on.)

Calligraphy Contest Planned for Hangeul Day

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold a calligraphy contest at Gwanghwamun Plaza, home to the new statue of King Sejong the Great, on Hangeul Day (Oct. 9).

Participants are classified into adult and student categories ranging from kindergarten to high school students, and will try their hand in one of the following fields: Hangeul, painting, seal engraving, written engraving, and modern calligraphy.

Other programs will be held on the sidelines including family motto writing, and making rubbings of wooden carvings inscribed with famous sayings.

Those who would like to participate can apply on the Korea Artistic Academy’s website at http://www.kaac.kr. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 6, and participants will be charged a participation fee of W10,000 (US$1=W1,151).

via The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea – Calligraphy Contest Planned for Hangeul Day.

Leave a Reply