577th Hangeul Day special this time at Korean Cultural Centre India on Oct 9

NEW DELHI: To commemorate the 577th Korean language day “Hangeul Day”, the Korean Cultural Centre India is hosting a special event at the main auditorium on October 9. With a diverse lineup of activities, the Korean Cultural Centre India aims to highlight the unique charm and beauty of Hangul, with the goal of nurturing increased interest in Hangul and the Korean language among the Indian populace.

This year’s Hangul Day event promises a rich array of engaging programs designed to engage and enthrall participants. One of the highlights is the “Hangul Day Photo Contest,” which encourages participants to share photos related to the Korean language and Hangul, accompanied by compelling stories. Additionally, the event features a stimulating “Korean Golden Bell Quiz Contest” where participants can both learn and display their knowledge of Korea and the Korean language. Moreover, there will be an event called ‘Free Market for Korean Books’ featuring Korean novels, poetry collections, textbooks, and more, aiming to offer a chance to explore the Korean language and culture through books.

From September 23rd to October 3rd, a Hangul photo contest was held, where participants were required to create and share Instagram story posts related to Hangul, using the hashtag ‘Hangul_KCCI’ In total, 54 entries were submitted, and out of these, 10 were meticulously selected for display and recognition during an award ceremony on the Hangul Day event. The winning entries will also be featured in an exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre in India throughout the month of October.

Among the 288 applicants for this event, 70 individuals have been selected and are scheduled to participate. One of the prospective participants, Ms. Awyaya, currently teaches the Korean language in an Indian public school. She expressed her desire to take part in the ‘Korean Golden Bell Quiz Contest to gain insights into Hangul-related activities, which she intends to integrate into her Korean language classes, thereby enriching her teaching methods.

Mr. Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, expressed his aspirations for the event, stating, ” I hope that this event will foster Indian people’s interest in and understanding of Korean culture and the Korean alphabet, and serve as an opportunity for them to experience the joy of cultural exchange.”

From Oct 4, the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is hosting this year’s Hangeul Week under the theme “The power of Hangeul to knock on the door to the future!” According to Korea.net during the week period from Oct. 4-10, the National Hangeul Museum on Oct. 7 will host the Hangeul Font Fashion Show and “Hangeul Break Dance,” where dancers showcase choreography using Korean letters. Other interactive programs will include one for making bookmarks using Hangeul letters and another for creating Hangeul neon signs.

From Oct. 7-9, the National Museum of World Writing Systems will host interactive events at the museum and grass field of Songdo Central Park in Songdo International Business District of Incheon under the theme “Rendezvous with Hangeul: Unified Writing System, Hangeul.” Visitors at the venue can join programs like the making of a miniature of King Sejong the Great, who promulgated Hangeul, and an ecofriendly bag featuring Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People), the 15th-century Hangeul textbook.

From Oct. 5-11, the King Sejong Institute Foundation will invite about 170 outstanding students from its global branches to a travel program featuring Korean history and traditional culture and a K-pop concert. The winner of the King Sejong Institute Korean Writing & Speech Contest 2023, whose final is on Oct. 10, will receive an award from the culture minister.

Korean Cultural Centers (KCC) abroad will also host celebratory events to mark Hangeul Day. The KCC in Los Angeles on Oct. 4 will host its annual Online Korean Poetry Recitation Contest in America and that in Osaka, Japan, will host until Oct. 21 an exhibition of products using Hangeul content and cultural goods.

Branches of King Sejong Institute in 74 countries including Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania will host programs such as writing Hangeul by hand and a quiz on Korean culture.