▲ A poster for a public showcase of various traditional Korean skills to be hosted by the Korea Heritage Service from July 20 to 29 at BEXCO in Busan (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

UNESCO session-traditional craftsmanship

S. Korea to showcase traditional 'gat' craftsmanship at UNESCO heritage session in Busan

By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Foreign delegates and visitors attending a key UNESCO committee meeting in South Korea will have the opportunity to watch master artisans craft the traditional Korean hat of "gat," famously worn by Saja Boys, the in-film idol boy group in the megahit animation "KPop Demon Hunters," officials said Monday.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced it will host a public showcase of various Korean traditional skills, including gat-making craftsmanship, from July 20 to July 29 at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. BEXCO will serve as the venue for the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee during this period, marking the first time for South Korea to host such a meeting.

The event titled "Living Heritage X ICH" aims to introduce various traditional skills representing the nation's intangible cultural heritage to foreign delegates and visitors coming to attend the session, the agency said.

Recognized masters of the skills will demonstrate their crafts in the showcase co-organized by the Korea Heritage Agency, which operates under the KHS.

Artisans specializing in gat-making, embroidery and traditional sewing will lead demonstrations from July 20-22. Following an exhibition-only day on July 23, visitors can observe techniques such as mother-of-pearl inlay, traditional wooden furniture making and headgear craftsmanship from July 24-26. The final three days will feature wood carving, bow making, wood sculpture and metal engraving.

Demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, within the overall exhibition hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hands-on programs will also be available, allowing visitors to craft miniature gats, hanbok-themed key rings and mother-of-pearl tumblers. These free sessions will take place four times daily, with each session lasting 90 minutes.

Organizers said that 120 participants can register in advance through the Korea Heritage Agency website, while additional on-site registration will be available for up to 365 people per day.

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