Intangible Heritage Artisans Featured in Textbooks to Visit Seoul Schools

[Financial News] Students in Seoul will meet National Intangible Heritage artisans they have previously seen only in textbooks and learn traditional arts directly in their classrooms.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 28th that it will introduce 'Ieum: Daeum Traditional Arts Education,' a program linking National Intangible Heritage with school curricula and bringing inheritors directly to schools. The initiative is designed to give students vivid experiences of the value of Korea's traditional culture while helping them develop creativity and pride.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will tailor the programs to each school level. In classes for middle school students focusing on practical skills, National Intangible Heritage holders—including Somokjang So Byeong-jin, Korea's first master furniture maker; Hwagak artisan Lee Jae-man; and master musical instrument craftsman Jo Jun-seok—will visit classrooms in person. Rather than simply copying the artisans' techniques, students will learn their problem-solving methods, such as the principle of fitting wood together without nails and the structures that produce good sound, while connecting these lessons to music, art, history and career education.
For elementary and special school students, performance-focused classes will feature National Intangible Heritage inheritors and performing arts troupes visiting schools to present pansori, traditional dance and theatrical folk performances. The program will encourage students to participate by learning rhythms and movements themselves.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will recruit six elementary, middle and special schools interested in participating from the 30th through October 9, then begin a pilot program running from October through December. Schools selected for the practical-skills program will receive 5 million won in operating funds. Based on this year's results, the education office plans to expand the program to schools throughout Seoul.
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Geun-sik Chung said, "National Intangible Heritage is living heritage that has been passed from person to person over a long period of time," adding, "Through 'Ieum: Daeum Traditional Arts Education,' I hope students will meet inheritors in person, learn the thoughts and wisdom of life embedded in tradition, and experience discovering and expressing its value in their own ways."   

[email protected] Kim Man-ki Reporter