KF뉴스레터-A Revealing Look at the Hidden Resources of Asia

A Revealing Look at the Hidden Resources of Asia

The “Dreaming Classroom – The Treasure Within” photo exhibition was presented at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center (September 23-October 16). Featuring the scenes of eight Asian countries, including Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand, the exhibition provided a rare opportunity to appreciate the cultural diversity of Asia.

The “Dreaming Classroom – The Treasure Within” exhibition at the KF Cultural Center opened with a well-attended opening ceremony that was highlighted by live cultural performances. Opening remarks by Ms. Lee Ji-hyang of the Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) of UNESCO were fol lowed by a congratulatory performance.
Dressed in the exquisite traditional attire of Indonesia, four women appeared with baskets filled with flower petals, which served to heighten the audience’s anticipation. The graceful movements of the women, in harmony with traditional Indonesian music, d a festive atmosphere. The performance was a typical welcoming dance that is staged to open festival events in Indonesia. It was even more meaningful that this presentation was performed by a group of Korean students (“Kami”) who are affiliated with the Academy of the Department of Malay and Indonesian, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Colorful Opening Ceremony
The Indonesian dance performance was followed by welcoming remarks from APCEIU Director Lee Seung-hwan. Along with thanking the visitors and project photographers, Director Lee noted that this exhibition was organized to focus on the role of education in cultural diversity, and to enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations among Asian countries. He also hoped that the exhibition would help to boost the pride of Asia, in regard to having such a rich treasure house of culture. Thereafter, John Asitha Ivon Perera, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Korea, noted in his congratulatory remarks that it was especially meaningful to have this kind of opportunity to understand and broaden appreciation of Asian culture through the powerful medium of photography. As for the exhibition’s theme and purpose, Ambassador Perera pointed out: “There are conflicts between countries in various places around the world, but there are no limits in culture.”
On behalf of the project photographers, Park Jongwoo expressed his gratitude for having a chance to work on this worthwhile endeavor, while accepting a plaque of appreciation from UNESCO. In addition, everyone in attendance took part in the attempts to break open a large golden ball, suspended from the ceiling, to celebrate the exhibition’s opening. Meanwhile, a group of performers from Thailand played traditional Thai music and sang cheerfully, further adding to the festive mood. The opening ceremony included a reception, which featured a wide variety of foods provided by the embassies of the Asian countries.

Diversity of Asia
As noted by APCEIU Director Lee Seung-hwan in his remarks, the “Dreaming Classroom – The Treasure Within” exhibition reveals the diversity of the everyday life of Asian people, rather than focusing only on scenes of the classroom. The people of Asia maintain their own language, culture, and lifestyle through their traditional ways of life and educational process. The photos on display thus reflect how local peoples have managed to realize coexistence, engagement, and communitymindedness in their own ways. The photos were arranged according to five basic themes.
focused on the life of elderly people who had long maintained a close communion with nature and now functioned as a kind of living classroom or textbook. The section also provided an opportunity to reflect upon the gracefulness of our elderly people.
featured scenes of inside and outside the school. Asian schools are depicted as a place for learning and playing, where dreams emerge, and students are filled with passion.
showed how everyday Asian life is rooted in schools and teachers, as well as books, people, and nature. presented beautiful, handmade patterns. Especially, the hand movements for sewing, embroidery, knitting, and paper folding are all undertaken in silence. The exquisite patterns d by the hands of Asians are truly fascinating.
shows how Asians have long revered nature and the universe with their singing and dancing. The passion of Asians can also be seen in this section.
Asians might look different, but in fact they share several common characteristics, like a respect for nature and long-held traditions, as well as a sense of dynamism and passionate energy. Indeed, all of these characteristics can be seen in the exhibition photos of the people of Asia.

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A Revealing Look at the Hidden Resources of Asia

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A Revealing Look at the Hidden Resources of Asia

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