Events Commemorate Hangeul Day and Showcase Efforts to Preserve Korean Language Diversity

Courtesy of National Hangeul Museum

The National Hangeul Museum is hosting an exhibition on Korean dialects as part of its 10th-anniversary celebrations coinciding with Hangeul Day on October 9. Titled "On Dialects," the exhibition features collections of literary works and documents aimed at exploring initiatives to conserve various Korean language dialects. It will run from Friday until October 13 at the museum located in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul.

The exhibition stands out for presenting materials collected by museum officials themselves during their search for dialect-related artifacts, according to a museum official.

Accessibility features such as Braille signs, sign language, and English audio guides will be provided, with a QR code available on the museum's website for virtual tours. 

▲ A children’s magazine shows the use of dialects / Courtesy of National Hangeul MuseumThe museum's director, Kim Il-hwan, emphasized the institution's commitment to raising awareness of Hangeul, noting plans to leverage exhibitions alongside regional festivals to expand outreach. Performances and lectures focusing on dialects are scheduled for Gangneung, Gangwon Province, in June and Jeju City in October, coinciding with local festivals in those areas.

The "Hangeul Experiment Project," a touring exhibition exploring artistic and commercial adaptations of the Korean writing system, will launch in Hanoi, Vietnam, in May, traveling to Manila, Philippines, in July, and potentially concluding in September.

Additionally, the annual International Museum Forum, expected to convene after Hangeul Day, will gather museum officials, academics, and practitioners to discuss topics such as human dignity restoration and environmental protection. Last year's forum attracted over 200 participants, including members of the International Council of Museums, focusing on the role of language museums in the digital age.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com