Three renowned Korean master artisans will present live demonstrations of traditional Korean applied arts at the Festival of Folk Arts in Budapest's historic Buda Castle from August 17-20. The Korean Cultural Center in Hungary has invited these skilled craftspeople to showcase centuries-old artistic traditions including mother-of-pearl inlay, calligraphy, and architectural painting.
Master Jongyoon Lee will demonstrate Najeonchilgi, one of Korea's most exquisite decorative art forms with over 2,000 years of history. This meticulous craft involves inlaying thinly cut pieces of mother-of-pearl onto lacquered surfaces to create stunning patterns and motifs. Festival visitors will be able to observe the essential tools and materials used in this treasured Korean heritage art, while Master Lee performs live demonstrations showing how designs are transferred onto shell and transformed into unique works of art through skillful handcrafting. An interactive workshop will also allow participants to create their own small Najeonchilgi keepsake.
Master Sangbae Lee specializes in two time-honored Korean art forms: calligraphy and Muninhwa painting. Korean calligraphy represents not only the art of beautiful writing but also serves as a practice of mental discipline and self-cultivation. Unlike Western calligraphy that typically uses pens, Korean calligraphy is performed with a brush, a technique Master Lee will demonstrate live for festival attendees. Muninhwa, known as "literati painting," is a distinctive genre that integrates poetry, calligraphy, and painting to express the artist's inner world including emotions, thoughts, and philosophy.
Master Suyeon Kim will showcase Dancheong, a traditional painting technique used to adorn Korean temples and palaces with symbolic patterns rendered in five basic colors: red, green, yellow, blue, and black. These vibrant designs serve both decorative and protective purposes, as they are believed to guard against weather damage, pests, and evil spirits. Master Kim will demonstrate how Dancheong patterns can be applied to paper artworks, and participants will have the opportunity to create Dancheong Ttakji – hand-painted paper cards used in a traditional Korean flipping game that combines artistic creativity with playful competition.
This rare opportunity allows international visitors to witness the beauty and depth of Korean craftsmanship presented live by master artisans who preserve and carry forward centuries of tradition. The collaboration between the Festival of Folk Arts and the Korean Cultural Center provides an authentic cultural exchange experience, offering hands-on workshops alongside professional demonstrations of these refined artistic techniques.
