'The "Hanbok Mecca" Jongno-gu Hanbok Revitalization Project Shines'

Jongno-gu Achieves Selection for Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'Hanbok Revitalization Project'... Secures 100 Million KRW in National Funding

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) achieved the great feat of being selected for the '2020 Hanbok Culture Activation Support Project' hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Hanbok Promotion Center of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation on June 12.

With this, they will receive 100 million KRW in national funding and promote the 'Hanbok Culture Regional Hub Support Project' to help spread Hanbok culture until November this year.

First, in preparation for the reduced opportunities to enjoy Hanbok culture due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district will operate a Hanbok upcycling program called 'Hanbok, How Far Can You Go?' that allows people to freely enjoy Hanbok without restrictions of time and place.

This is a non-face-to-face experience program where participants can create items themselves by watching online educational videos using upcycling experience kits made from Hanbok fabric.

Applications will be accepted at the end of July, and every third Saturday of the month will be designated as 'Our Clothes, Hanbok Meeting Day,' when upcycling kit educational videos will be uploaded. In November, an online exhibition will be held by photographing Hanbok works completed by participants at local cultural facilities.

During the third week of October, 'Hanbok Culture Week,' a talk concert will be held inviting foreign panelists who love traditional Korean culture to discuss the beauty and meaning of Hanbok from a foreigner's perspective.

Additionally, the Jongno Hanbok Festival, along with flash mobs and photo exhibitions with the Hanbok Promotion Team, will also be held.

Especially, the Jongno Hanbok Festival, which was selected as a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism fostered festival just two years after its inception, will be an excellent opportunity to see, feel, and personally experience everything about Hanbok.

Furthermore, preparations are underway for a 'Hanbok Photo Contest' open to anyone who loves Hanbok, a 'Hanbok Love Campaign' where students who love Hanbok gather to hold parades and dance events, an online Hanbok music concert due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, and an exhibition where donated Hanbok can be viewed on screen.

Jongno-gu, which leads the spread of traditional culture such as Hanbok, Hanok, Korean cuisine, Hangul, Korean traditional music, and dance, has been practicing wearing Hanbok by operating a monthly 'Staff Hanbok Wearing Day' since 2013.

Also, to promote the beauty of Hanbok not only domestically but worldwide and contribute to revitalizing the local economy, since 2016, they have held an annual 'Hanbok Festival' and operated the 'Gopda Hanbok Experience Center' to provide residents with opportunities for Hanbok experience and education. They have also established the 'Hanbok Activation Ordinance' to create an institutional foundation for smoothly implementing related policies.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “Hanbok is not just clothing but a precious cultural heritage that embodies the wisdom, culture, and spirit of the Korean people. Through this Hanbok culture activation project, we aim to raise the pride of Jongno as a traditional culture city and spread a culture where Hanbok is enjoyed in daily life, not just worn on special occasions.” He added, “We will operate diverse programs that highlight the unique characteristics of Jongno, a city where wearing Hanbok anytime and anywhere is never awkward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.