The exhibition of Korean chopsticks "K-Chopsticks: Connection" opened in the Library of the First President in Nur-Sultan.
The exhibition is timed to the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Korea.
The event was organized within the framework of the international exhibition project of the Library "Dialogue through Culture" together with Korean Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan with support of Administration of Cheongju City, Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation.
The exhibition of Korean chopsticks “K-Chopsticks: Connection" introduces visitors to Korean food culture, as well as a unique collection of cutlery, each of which is a work of art.
According to Ms. Lee Heran, Director of Korean Cultural Center, chopsticks are not only an attribute of Korean culture, but also widely used in Asia, being a unique cultural heritage.
“I am very pleased to introduce Korea’s chopstick craft “K-Chopsticks: Connection” to Kazakhstan in important year of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between Korea and Kazakhstan.
In this exhibition, 46 artists in Cheongju are participating in with about 400 pieces of work based on the Korean chopstick culture. I hope this could be an opportunity for the people in Kazakhstan to become more familiar with Korean culture,” Ms. Lee Heran concluded.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kim Daesik, delivered a welcoming speech to the guests of the event.
"As we have been using chopsticks for a long time, they have become part of our culture. It is worth noting that our culture has become an industry that can be shown and represented abroad," Mr. Kim Daesik said.
As Mayor of Cheongju city Han Beum-deuk noted, “K-Chopsticks: Connection” is a story of people in the chopstick culture who use chopsticks as a tool to dine.
“Chopstick is not only an everyday tool but the cultural gene that has been constantly linked to the history, culture and life of East Asian people. Chopsticks have been used for a long time and they contain special meanings of sharing, care and cooperation. Chopsticks are the gift from our ancestors which connect the materials from nature with people and connect with descendants who live in the present. In addition, present-day people who can come across various cultures of the East and the West are experiencing each other’s cultures through diverse food cultures using hands, knives, forks and chopsticks. I hope that the global village will be harmonious and peaceful through the chopsticks which connect between nature and people, ancestors and descendants, and the East and the West.” —Mr. Han Beum-deuk said.
The exposition includes cutlery coated with lacquer by Master Kim Seongho; pepper wood chopsticks by Master Lee Cheongguk; cutlery covers by Master Lee Sora; Korean traditional bronze cutlery "Yugi" by Master Park Sangte; and other artworks that showcase the history of Cheongju.
Previously, these works were exhibited in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2017 and Sydney, Australia, in 2018.
Dana TUGAMBEKOVA
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