Silla’s cultural legacy brought to life
By Do Je-hae
Gyeongju, the capital of the nation's ancient kingdom of Silla (57 B.C.-935 A.D.), will host a two-month expo on Korea's cultural legacy, the culture ministry announced Tuesday.
The 6th Gyeongju World Culture Expo will run from Aug. 12 to Oct. 10 starting with an opening ceremony Thursday evening to be attended by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and North Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kwan-yong.
In particular, the event is expected to play an important role in the dissemination of Korea’s tradition to international participants and visitors of the 2011 Daegu World Championships in Athletics. One of the world's biggest sporting events will take place in the nearby city of Daegu from Aug. 27 to Sept. 4.
“We will introduce Korea’s cultural prowess to the world by hosting the high-quality event,” the governor said.
The expo, to be held for 60 days at the Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park and other venues around Gyeongju, will be organized around the theme "The Story of a Millennium ― Love, Light and Nature."
This year, organizers are expecting some 10 million will come to the event. The expo has attracted some 8.5 million visitors since its inception in 1998.
The main characteristic of this year’s expo is the incorporation of state-of-the-art technology in introducing Silla's cultural legacy through exhibitions and shows.
The multimedia section will present 3D films and a multimedia show featuring the Gyeongju Tower, the city’s landmark.
More than 40 countries will participate in organizing around 100 programs in four categories ― official events, performances, multimedia and exhibitions, along with other sideline programs.
"Silla produced some of Korea's most important cultural legacy. The expo will contribute to informing the world about Korea and for us to learn about other countries," an official with the culture ministry said.
Traditional foods from different countries and a folk costume fashion show will be held. Hungarian, Russian and Romanian artists will reenact a European festival by offering outdoor performances and events.
In addition, there will be thematic performances, an international dance festival, street performances, puppet theater, a b-boy and university student festival, and regional culture showcases.
Gyeongju is one of the most popular tourist cities in the nation, as home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Haein Temple. The Buddhist temple houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in “hanja” script carved in the 13th century.
Admission is 6,000 won for children aged 4 to 11; 8,000 won for students aged 12 to 17 and 12,000 won for adults.
For more information, visit cultureexpo.or.kr or call 1588-7890.