The Korea Herald

Culture Minister vows to diversify international cultural exchanges

Mar 27, 2012

Korea will shift the focus of cultural exchange from developed countries to Third World countries, said Choe Kwang-shik, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday. Choe announced plans to enhance international cooperation and exchanges in culture, sports and tourism and promote cultural welfare at a media briefing at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit media center at COEX, Samseong-dong, Tuesday. The basic plans for Korean cultural policy include finding creativity in tradition, promotion
Japan classic paintings, pop idols hit U.S.

Mar 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― Japan is presenting to the United States highlights of its culture both old and new, with a rare exhibition of elaborate centuries-old nature scrolls and performances by a top-selling pop band.Japan is seeking to make the most of the 100th anniversary of Washington’s cherry blossom trees, which were initially a gift from Tokyo and have turned into one of the U.S. capital’s most popular tourist draws.As thousands strolled central Washington to enjoy the fleeting beauty of the c
Why sad movies make us happy

Mar 27, 2012

“Tragedies bring to mind close relationships, which makes us happy.”Surprisingly enough, sad movies make people happier in the short term, according to a study. But the reason is not because viewers feel better comparing themselves with unhappy characters, says Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, lead author of the study. Rather, it is because negative feelings cause them to feel more appreciative after a sad flick.In the study conducted by a research team of Ohio State University, 361 college students
Media center showcases traditional and pop culture

Mar 25, 2012

Among the side programs running during the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit, promotional booths organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Presidential Council for Nation Branding are noteworthy. The Culture Ministry’s Korea Culture & Tourism booth is set up at the Media Center at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, from March 25-28, and offers summit participants and the general public a glimpse into Korea’s traditional and contemporary culture. The nation’s representative
Traditional culture is root of hallyu: Chief of branding council

Mar 25, 2012

Universal values are deeply embedded in South Korea’s history and traditional culture, said Lee Bae-yong, Chairperson of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding.Asserting that Korea must strive to become a country that contributes to the international community and one that is trusted and loved by the citizens of the world, Lee pointed out on Sunday five key strategic tasks for Korea to acquire global recognition as a reliable and dignified country. The media briefing was held as part of the
Japan university to study Peru’s Nazca Lines

Mar 22, 2012

TOKYO (AFP) ― A Japanese university will open a research centre near Peru’s Nazca Lines to study the ancient geoglyphs which are designated a UNESCO world heritage site, Kyodo news agency said Wednesday.The new facility set up by Yamagata University will operate for 15 years to study the large designs etched into the ground in Peru’s southern plains, with Japanese and local researchers expected to take part in the project.The research lab is scheduled to open in September, Kyodo said.“It’s not k
Wax museum spurs sticky situation in Iraq

Mar 22, 2012

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) ― An exhibit of wax statues depicting some of Shiite Muslims’ most beloved clerics, aimed at paying tribute to this Iraqi holy city’s contributions to culture, has been dipped in controversy as some Sunnis decry the figures as heretical.The wax sculptures are due to be displayed at a museum in Najaf, but even before the exhibit opens, some Sunni Muslims ― rarely shy about highlighting their religious differences with Shiites ― are denouncing them as a violation of Islamic law. E
Greece mulled buying Acropolis statues from U.K., files show

Mar 22, 2012

ATHENS (AFP) ― Greece’s Bavarian-born King Otto considered offering Britain cash or antiquities in the 19th century in exchange for marbles removed from the Acropolis, previously unpublished historical files have shown.“There is a document to the foreign ministry, subsequently forwarded to Otto’s minister in London, with instructions on how to request the marbles back,” Acropolis Museum director Demetrios Pantermalis told a conference on Monday.“There was a discussion on what should be offered i
U.K. experts find 7th-century teen buried in her bed

Mar 19, 2012

LONDON (AP) ― Archaeologists excavating near Cambridge have stumbled upon a rare and mysterious find: The skeleton of a 7th-century teenager buried in an ornamental bed along with a gold-and-garnet cross, an iron knife and a purse full of glass beads.Experts say the grave is an example of an unusual Anglo-Saxon funerary practice of which very little is known. Just over a dozen of these “bed burials’’ have been found in Britain, and it’s one of only two in which a pectoral cross ― meant to be wor
Indian Cultural Center shows India’s diversity

Mar 18, 2012

Indian Cultural Center chief says day during Yeosu Expo will be designated India DayThis is the seventh article of the series introducing cultural centers of different countries in Seoul. ― Ed. Some aspects of Indian culture like the cuisine or yoga have already permeated into the South Korean society. Banu Prakash, director of Indian Cultural Center, however, asserted that there is much more to the Indian culture which is very heterogeneous. “People from Korea or India who moved to the U.S., fo
S. Korea opens first cultural center in Mexico

Mar 14, 2012

South Korea opened its first Korean Cultural Center in Mexico Tuesday, hoping it will serve as a bridge between the two different cultures.The Korean Cultural Center opened in Mexico City for the first time Tuesday. (Yonhap Photo)The three-story building located in the center of Mexico City features
South Korea opens first cultural center in Mexico

Mar 13, 2012

South Korea opened its first Korean Cultural Center in Mexico Tuesday, hoping it will serve as a bridge between the two different cultures.The three-story building located in the center of Mexico City features a library, two exhibition halls, rooms for learning Korean language and traditional Korean music, an audiovisual room and a multipurpose hall, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.The opening ceremony was held at the center with about 200 dignitaries from both countries
Belgian director to head Asian Arts Theater

Mar 12, 2012

Frie Leysen, a renowned artistic director in the international theater scene, was named to lead the Asian Arts Theater, a major venue for Asian arts currently under construction in Gwangju, the Ministry of Culture said on Monday.Vice Culture Minister Kim Yong-hwan presented a letter of appointment to Leysen at his office in Seoul. Leysen is the first foreign director to head a major art venue in Korea, the ministry said. The 61-year-old director will lead the AAT for three years.“I think it is a
New Sejong head to foster public participation in arts

Mar 12, 2012

Activist-turned-CEO calls hallyu a product of cultural imperialismSejong Center for the Performing Arts, with three major concert halls, two art galleries and nine art companies under one roof, has long been touted as one of the most prestigious art venues in Seoul. Bagh In-bae, new president of SCPA, wants to turn the center that has been pursuing high-level, professional arts for many years into a venue where the public can freely express their “cultural desire.”“A new era in the country’s a
Artist Heizer’s big rock rolls to California

Mar 12, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Rock stars are a common enough sight in Los Angeles but it’s not often when a rock is the star.Los Angeles residents are coming out to catch a glimpse of a massive boulder that arrived at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art before dawn Saturday, after lumbering across Southern California for the past week and a half.It will become the centerpiece of acclaimed earth artist Michael Heizer’s latest creation, “Levitated Mass.”“The sheer size of it is just impressive. The size of