Children have fun at ASEAN Prism, an exhibition underway at Seoul Press Center, Seoul.

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Magnetic Power

This special contemporary photography and media art exhibition will offer the works of 30 artists from the 10 member nations participating at the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN)-Korea Commemorative Summit. The event is meaningful in that artists from all participating countries will display their work for the Korean public. The exhibition will be held at 10 galleries and art museums scattered across Seoul, including Coreana Museum, Lee C Gallery and Gallery Jijihyang. It will continue through June 6. For more information, visit www.aseankorea.org


ASEAN Street

The ASEAN Street will offer the distinctive art and culture of the 10 participating nations along the 20-kilometer Peace Road in Jeju City. The organizers have brought the tourism bureaus of the member countries together and arranged a photo exhibition, 2 kilometers for each nation. Visitors can get a glimpse of famous cultural assets such as the Angkor Wat of Cambodia and the Patuxai from Laos. The ASEAN Street event will continue through June 2. For more information, call (064) 710-6543.


ASEAN Prism

Enjoy distinctive artwork and products from Korea and member nations at the ASEAN Prism exhibition. It offers unique pieces that have been produced through traditional manufacturing processes with traditional material, but with a modern touch. The exhibition is divided into two themes: ``Nature into Design'' and ``Local to Global.'' ASEAN Prism will be held on the eighth floor of the Seoul Press Center through June 2. For more information, visit www.aseankorea.org or call (02) 2287-1123.


Jeju Multiracial Cultural Festival

Visitors will have the chance to get together with immigrants through various cultural programs. They include a movie screening, photo exhibitions and a talk show where the immigrants can freely participate with their families and neighbors. There will be traditional dancing and singing events and a traditional costumes fashion show. The festival will be held at Chilsung-ro, Jeju City, through May 31. For more information, call (064) 710-6835.


Opera Baekrokdam

The sad love story of young Jeju maiden Gu-seul and her lover Gil-sang will be staged. When his political enemies kill Gil-sang's family, he is exiled on Jeju, where he meets Gu-seul and discovers the meaning of true love. Originally based on the folk tale ``Seolmundae Halmang,'' or ``Seolmundae Granny,'' the opera made its debut in 2002 and has been recognized as a unique piece, with traditional and classical music successfully intertwined with a sad, yet poetic storyline. Visitors must have invitations to attend the event. They are available at Jeju Culture Center, Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Arts and Company and Seogwipo Chorus on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (064) 710-6692. The opera will be performed at the Jeju Culture [asean]culture events preview


Jeju World Culture & Travel EXPO

More than 30 nations will join the Jeju World Culture & Travel Expo, which will promote participating countries through various programs and events, including traditional performances and exhibitions. With more than 250 booths, the EXPO is expected to bridge the gap between nations and people. The Expo will be held at Jeju World Cup Stadium and continue through June 1. For more information, call (064) 710-3923.



Jeju Traditional Folk Festival

Jeju City is arranging various programs to introduce the rich and interesting culture of Jeju Island. From traditional art and folk songs to games, the folk festival will be a delightful and educational event for children and adults alike. It will be held at the Deoksu-ri Bulmi Performance Center. For more information, call (064) 710-6692.


ASEAN-Korea Traditional Music Orchestra

The ASEAN-Korea Traditional Music Orchestra is composed of 52 traditional musical instruments from 11 participating nations, including Korea. The special performance is aimed at furthering the learning of each other's cultures and also displaying the unique characteristics of Asian traditional music to the world. The orchestra will perform at the Jeju Convention Center May 31 and at the National Theater of Korea in northern Seoul June 4. For more information, call (02) 3704-3422. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 30,000 won for the Seoul performance.


ASEAN-Korean Artist Exchange Program

Cultural figures from ASEAN participating nations will share their ideas and studies at the Artist Exchange Program. Artists, writers and moviemakers will get together to discuss Asian art, films and poetry under the theme ``Beauty, Seed of Peace.'' The program will be held at the Jeju Shineville Resort from June 1 to 2.

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr