A ceremony at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul marks the 570th anniversary of the promulgation and dissemination of the Korean alphabet on Oct. 9.
As this year marks the 570th anniversary of the promulgation and dissemination of the Hangeul (한글) alphabet, a variety of events were held on Oct. 9, designated as Hangeul Day, across Seoul, to raise awareness of the importance of the Korean indigenous alphabet.
Under the theme of “The Whole World Lights Up With Hangeul,” a ceremony was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul to commemorate the 570th anniversary of the alphabet, with more than 3,000 participants in attendance, including Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and representatives from Korean language promotional bodies.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to 10 individuals who have contributed to developing and spreading the Korean alphabet, both at home and abroad, by presenting an award of appreciation for their deeds.
“Hangeul is a key foundation, not only as our own language, but also for the nation’s cultural prosperity,” said the prime minister in his commemorative speech. “The Korean alphabet has helped our country thrive, as well as Hallyu, the Korean Wave,” he said. “More than 500 years later since the creation of our alphabet, our writing system is still suitable for use in the information-oriented age in which we now live. It has become a solid foundation for us as we have become one of the IT powerhouses of the world. Our alphabet has even found its way into design, the arts and content, as well.”
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn (left) awards a citation to Professor Vincenza D’Urso at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in Italy in recognition of her contributions to having taught the history of the Korean alphabet over the past 18 years, and for spreading Korean history and the Korean language across Italy since she started teaching classes there at the first-ever Sejong Institute in Italy in 2012.
Other sideline events across Gwanghwamun Square included a Hangeul writing contest, exhibitions and performances, all in commemoration of Hangeul Day. On the eve of Hangeul Day, a series of Korean pop singers as well as traditional dance troupes and percussion quartets showed up on stage in Gwanghwamun Square to sing and dance as they announced the Hangeul Day festivals scheduled for the next day.
Students of the Korean language take part in a Hangeul calligraphy competition, part of a festival to celebrate Hangeul Day on Oct. 9 at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul.
In the Hangeul writing contest, many people, children, senior citizens and non-Korean visitors wrote their beautiful Hangeul calligraphy. Some people were spotted painting Hangeul words using a palette of colors or printing Hangeul letters with woodblocks. There were also smiling people who sported Hangeul face paintings on their cheeks.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
jiae5853@korea.kr
Three young fans of Hangeul, clad in traditional Korean Hanbok attire, hold a signboard in front of the King Sejong statue at Gwanghwamun Square to let people know how to properly use the Korean alphabet, during a festival to mark Hangeul Day on Oct. 9.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun (center) poses with winners of a Hangeul writing contest, as part of a festival to mark Hangeul Day on Oct. 9.
