With a legacy of showcasing the culture, art, and history of Asians in Canada, The Korean Cultural Centre is celebrating Asian Heritage Month 2021 with a wide range of fun online events that people can enjoy from the comfort and safety of home.
Sungeun Lee, the director of the Korean Cultural Centre Canada, said, “while it is impossible to offer any on-site events due to Covid-19 outbreak, I hope that many Canadians would be able to enjoy our online programs across Canada, not bound by a place.” Lee hopes that the online programs offer Canadians a special time to experience Korean culture from home.
Check out the list of events below and don't forget to register through the Korean Cultural Centre Canada website.
1. K-Story & Korean Folk Painting: Minhwa (Children-friendly)
In celebration of Children's Day (May 5), Parents' Day (May 8) in Korea, and Mother's Day (May 9) in Canada, the KCC presents the special children's program for every family member to join. The class will be held online on May 8th, led by a folk painting instructor Jung-ah Kim. She will lead a folk painting colouring session that children can easily follow and present an illustration-based story-telling of the fairy tale, Tiger Brother. The Tiger Brother is a Korean traditional fairy tale written by Jung-hwan Bang who established Children's Day in Korea. The story is expected to convey the meaning of filial piety to Canadian children with visual fun.
2. Korean Folk Painting (Minhwa) Colouring Class
On May 18th, a folk painting colouring class will be held online for adults. Led by the instructor Jung-ah Kim, the class will have time to learn about Korean folk paintings and colour a folk painting sketch on a scroll. The sketch is based on the Korean folding screen, Irworobongdo, from Joseon Dynasty. Placed behind the king’s throne, Irworobongdo represented the wish for peace and prosperity of the country. With a prolonged impact of Covid-19, the KCC hopes this session would provide Canadians with a valuable time to reflect on the meaning of Irworobongdo in our present time.
3. Intro to Korean Temple Food
Korean Temple food has been receiving international attention as an example of healthy vegetarian food. The Korean Cultural Centre Canada would like to introduce Korean Temple food to Canadians with easy recipes for cooking. Held online on May 20th, a Korean Buddhist monk from the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism will introduce the ingredients and recipes of Korean Temple food and cook the menu together virtually. In the current situation where dining out is prohibited, this cooking class will offer many Canadians a unique and fun food experience at home.
4. Lotus Lantern Craft with a Special Guest
Lotus, which means "flaming flower from the mud," is a symbol of Buddhism along with lotus lanterns. On May 24th, the lotus lantern craft class will be held online in celebration of Buddha’s birthday (May 19) in Korea. The participants in the class will be introduced to Korean Buddhist culture and learn about the meaning of lotus flowers. With a Korean Buddhist monk, they will also have a special time for meditation in the course of craft-making.
5. K-Cinema: Online Screening of the Film Maggie
From May 25th to 31st, The Korean Cultural Centre will host an online screening of the film Maggie (2018) by the director Yi Ok-seop. Maggie, commissioned by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, is a mysterious comedy film that draws a story of faith and disbelief. The film portrays mischievous daily lives of the younger generation in a cheerful way. It was awarded at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival (Actor of the Year Award, Citizen Critic Award, KBS Independent Film Award, CGV Art House Award) and the 44th Seoul Independent Film Festival, winning rave reviews from the audience. Along with an online screening of Maggie, the Korean Cultural Centre Canada will continue to introduce a series of Korean films of various genres.
6. The Universal Ballet (Seoul)’s Online Performance “Giselle”
On May 28th, the Universal Ballet (Seoul)’s “Giselle” performance will be screened online for the first time in Canada. “Giselle”, the story of a tangled love affair between a pair of royals and peasants, is a masterpiece in classical ballet. The Universal Ballet (Seoul)’s “Giselle” has been acclaimed for its mastery of technical skills and dramatic expression. Starting with “Giselle”, the KCC hopes to see growing interests in Korean ballet companies and their performances among Canadians.