The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) successfully organized a comprehensive educational outreach program as part of its "Taekwondo: Meeting the World" exhibition, welcoming local students to explore Korean martial arts culture through interactive experiences. The special program took place on three separate dates - July 8, 22, and 30, 2025 - and was specifically designed to bring Taekwondo closer to Indian youth while fostering deeper cultural understanding.
The initiative attracted approximately 120 students and 6 teachers from three prominent local educational institutions. Mount Abu Public School sent the largest delegation with 42 students, followed by Bal Bharti Public School with 45 students, and Ganga International School with 33 students. The diverse participation demonstrated strong interest from the local educational community in Korean cultural programming.
The program featured two main components: a carefully curated exhibition tour and hands-on Korean lacquerware (najeonchilgi) workshops. During the guided exhibition tour, students had the opportunity to observe key displays that comprehensively showcased the rich history, core values, and underlying philosophy of Taekwondo. The exhibition materials presented Taekwondo not merely as a competitive sport, but as a profound cultural art form with deep historical roots and philosophical foundations.
Throughout the tour, students actively engaged in animated discussions with their peers, examining various artifacts and displays that illustrated Taekwondo's development over time. The interactive nature of the experience encouraged students to think critically about the martial art's cultural significance and its role in Korean society. Students showed particular curiosity when observing traditional Taekwondo uniforms displayed in glass showcases, asking detailed questions about the symbolism and evolution of the attire.
The exhibition tour was enhanced by expert curatorial explanations that provided students with comprehensive insights into Taekwondo's historical development and philosophical underpinnings. Students gathered attentively in the exhibition hall, listening carefully to detailed presentations about how Taekwondo evolved from ancient Korean martial arts traditions into the globally recognized discipline it is today.
Following the educational tour, students participated in an immersive najeonchilgi workshop, where they learned about the intricate art of Korean mother-of-pearl inlay lacquerware. The hands-on activity began with detailed instructions on traditional Korean lacquerware manufacturing techniques, allowing students to understand the meticulous craftsmanship required for this ancient art form. Students listened carefully as instructors explained the delicate process of creating najeonchilgi, from preparing the base materials to the precise placement of mother-of-pearl pieces.
During the workshop, students expressed genuine fascination with Korean traditional crafts as they became immersed in the intricate process of mother-of-pearl inlay work. The activity was specifically designed to create Taekwondo-themed lacquerware keyrings, combining the martial arts focus of the exhibition with traditional Korean artistic techniques. Students worked meticulously on their individual projects, experiencing firsthand the patience and precision required in traditional Korean craftsmanship.
The workshop proved to be highly engaging, with students demonstrating remarkable attention to detail as they delicately created their personalized keyrings. The combination of Taekwondo themes with traditional lacquerware techniques provided a unique cultural fusion that resonated strongly with the young participants. Many students commented on how the hands-on experience gave them a deeper appreciation for the skill and artistry involved in Korean traditional crafts.
One student, speaking into a microphone during the program's conclusion, shared his enthusiasm about the experience, stating that he had learned significantly more about Taekwondo than he had previously known and particularly enjoyed the craft-making session. His comments reflected the general sentiment among participants, who found the combination of cultural education and practical activity both informative and enjoyable.
The program concluded with students proudly posing for group photographs while displaying their handmade lacquerware keyrings. The visible pride and satisfaction on their faces demonstrated the success of the cultural exchange initiative. The keyrings served not only as tangible souvenirs of their experience but also as lasting reminders of their introduction to Korean culture and the deeper understanding they gained about Taekwondo as both a martial art and cultural practice.
This educational outreach program represents part of KCCI's broader mission to promote Korean culture and foster international understanding through interactive and engaging experiences. By combining traditional exhibition formats with hands-on workshops, the center successfully created an immersive cultural experience that resonated with young Indian students and provided them with meaningful insights into Korean heritage and values.
