The Korea Herald

New history organization to fuel debate on ancient territories

Jun 27, 2016

Historians critical of scholars’ colonial views formed a new organization on Sunday to push their claims on ancient territories, a move expected to pour further fuel on a debate with their academic opponents.The Council for Correct History for Future was launched with the Hangaram History and Culture Research Center, among other private organizations, as founding members. An official with the council said 115 organizations have signed up, with more to soon follow suit.These historians have been
Rocky future for Somalia’s ancient cave art

Jun 27, 2016

LAAS GEEL, Somalia (AFP) - Centuries have passed since Neolithic artists swirled red and white color on the cliffs of northern Somalia, painting antelopes, cattle, giraffes and hunters carrying bows and arrows.Today, the paintings at Laas Geel in the self-declared state of Somaliland retain their fresh brilliance, providing vivid depictions of a pastoralist history dating back some 5,000 years or more.“These paintings are unique. This style cannot be found anywhere in Africa,” said Abdisalam Sha
Greek foundation unveils new Athens opera, national library

Jun 26, 2016

ATHENS (AFP) -- A leading Greek foundation on Friday unveiled a sprawling new park, opera and national library in southern Athens designed to “give hope” to a country brought low by a six-year economic crisis.The 1,400-seat opera, library and adjoining park designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano cost nearly 600 million euros ($680 million) and took eight years to design and build.“We thought it was very important to give hope,” Andreas Dracopoulos, copresident of the Stavros Niarchos fo
Prime minister calls for more international cultural cooperation

Jun 23, 2016

GWANGJU (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Thursday said that the international community should further cultural cooperation since the power of culture can contribute greatly to world unity.“I think the power of culture can go beyond borders, greatly contributing to making the world into one beautiful community,” Hwang said during a speech at the formal opening ceremony for the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Gwangju. “So, in that sense, cultural cooperation of the in
A rare look at Joseon king's funeral

Jun 23, 2016

National Palace Museum of Korea sheds light on royal tombs of Joseon in new exhibition
Upcoming after-work cultural shows at Seoul Plaza

Jun 22, 2016

Free cultural performances will be offered at the grass-covered plaza in front of Seoul City Hall from Saturday to September.The Seoul Metropolitan City said on Wednesday it will create a 13-meter-tall stage at the open space for office workers to enjoy cultural activities daily at 7 p.m. (Seoul Metropolitan City)There are likely to be performances across genres including classical music, Korean traditional music, hip-hop and tango, among others. An 80-minute circus parade will take place on Sat
ASEM culture ministers‘ meeting kicks off in Gwangju

Jun 22, 2016

High-level cultural officials from the Asia-Europe Meeting member countries gathered in the southwestern Korean city of Gwangju on Wednesday to share their experiences in cultivating creative industries.Some 200 delegates from 51 ASEM member countries, including eight culture ministers and 11 deputy ministers, will attend the 7th Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.The event will take place at the Asia Culture Center, a state-run arts and conc
Smithsonian to host 1st major US Quran exhibition

Jun 22, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) --The Quran, revered by Muslims, is the centerpiece of a first-of-its-kind exhibition in the United States as the Smithsonian displays exquisitely decorated manuscripts from one of the top Quran collections.The Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery announced Tuesday that “The Art of the Qur’an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts” will bring 48 manuscripts and folios from the museum in Istanbul together with manuscripts from the collection of the Sackler and F
Ancient sarcophagus covers returned to Egypt

Jun 22, 2016

CAIRO (AP) -- Two ancient Egyptian sarcophagus covers have been delivered to Cairo’s Egyptian Museum after they surfaced at an auction in Israel.Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anani says the colorful wooden covers, decorated with hieroglyphics and illustrations, were recovered after they went on sale in 2012 and arrived at the museum Tuesday following cooperation between the two countries and Interpol. Egyptian antiquities officials uncrate a sarcophagus cover on its arrival to the Egyptian Muse
Korea, Portugal promise to expand cooperation in culture-related areas

Jun 21, 2016

South Korea and Portugal agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in media, education, sports and other culture-related areas, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.The agreement was part of a three-year cultural exchange plan signed at a joint committee meeting in Seoul on Monday between Choi Young-sam, a director of the ministry's bureau in charge of cultural affairs, and Ana Paula Laborinho, head of Portugal's government agency leading international cultural exchanges.Under the plan, both agreed to
Chinese art trading scheme enters Korea

Jun 16, 2016

Will the alternative art investment bring sound profit, or disrupt art market?
Cho Young-nam indicted without detention on fraud charges

Jun 14, 2016

Singer-artist Cho Young-nam, who has been in hot water since May over allegations he hired a ghost painter for several years to create his paintings, was indicted without detention on fraud charges Tuesday, according to the Chuncheon Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. 　Cho is accused of allegedly having two ghost painters create his paintings, well known for motifs of Korean folk card game Go-Stop, from about five years ago and selling them without informing his buyers of the fact. His manager was als
Rare Joseon-era map of Korea to be auctioned

Jun 14, 2016

A colossal 19th-century map of the Korean Peninsula will go on the block at an art auction in Seoul on June 28.　The map of the Korean Peninsula “Daedongyeojido,” which measures 3.8 meters by 6.7 meters in total, was made by geographer Kim Jeong-ho in 1861.　The map is one of some 20 remaining Daedongyeojido maps and one of the three known colored versions to date. Maps of Daedongyeojido, translated as the great map of the East, are housed at museums and public institutions in Korea, including Kyu
Smithsonian, Victoria and Albert Museum to collaborate

Jun 14, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Smithsonian and the Victoria and Albert Museum will collaborate on permanent gallery space in London.The institutions announced in a statement Monday that they plan to develop gallery space over this year at Victoria and Albert East that will be a part of a new cultural complex being created at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It would be the first time the Smithsonian has committed to a long-term permanent gallery presence in another country.Smithsonian Secretary David S
Ancient urban networks around Angkor Wat discovered

Jun 14, 2016

LONDON (AP) -- An Australian archaeologist says he and colleagues have found evidence of previously undiscovered medieval urban and agricultural networks surrounding the ancient city of Angkor Wat.Using high-tech lasers to scan the Cambodian jungle, Damian Evans and colleagues say they found traces of extensive networks surrounding the monumental stone temple complex at Angkor Wat. Evans said their findings could further our understanding of Khmer culture and throw into question traditional assu