The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa will host a comprehensive day-long event celebrating Korean traditional culture through fashion and art on Monday, September 8, 2025. The free program, running from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, will take place at the centre's location on 267 Waterkloof Road in Brooklyn, Pretoria, offering participants an immersive experience into Korea's rich cultural heritage.
The event will begin with an engaging morning lecture from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, providing an in-depth overview of Korean Hanbok culture. Participants will explore the history and symbolism of Korea's traditional clothing, learning about its cultural significance and evolution over time. The lecture will also examine the contemporary role of Hanbok in Korean dramas and media, highlighting how traditional fashion continues to influence modern Korean entertainment and cultural expression.
The afternoon session, scheduled from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, will shift focus to hands-on craft workshops where participants can create their own traditional Korean items. The workshop will feature two distinct activities: crafting a Gwi-Jumeoni with Maedeup knots and exploring Minhwa folk art painting. These traditional crafts represent important aspects of Korean cultural artistry and provide participants with tangible connections to Korea's artistic heritage.
Gwi-Jumeoni, a traditional Korean pouch often carried with Hanbok, serves as one of the workshop's centerpiece activities. Made from colorful fabric and secured with a drawstring, these pouches historically held small personal items or charms. The drawstring is typically finished with Maedeup, the distinctive Korean decorative knots known for their clean, balanced form and aesthetic appeal. In contemporary Korean culture, Gwi-Jumeoni symbolizes good fortune and beauty, adding elegance to traditional attire while serving practical purposes.
The second workshop component focuses on Minhwa painting, Korea's beloved folk art tradition created by ordinary people throughout Korean history. These folk paintings typically feature symbols of good fortune, happiness, and protection, serving both decorative and spiritual purposes in Korean homes. Minhwa artwork traditionally expressed people's hopes, beliefs, and aspirations, making it an accessible and meaningful art form that connected communities to their cultural values and traditions.
Registration for the event is required and completely free of charge. Interested participants can register through the provided Google Forms link at https://forms.gle/W9wfBjo6TcykaMzx6. For additional information or inquiries about the program, attendees can contact the Korean Cultural Centre directly at 012 001 9204 or reach out via email at kccsa@korea.kr. The centre encourages early registration to ensure participation in this unique cultural learning opportunity that combines traditional Korean fashion education with hands-on artistic experiences.
