Hosting the World's Mask Culture Exhibition and Symposium 

Considering that masks have symbolic features that make all humans equal when the masks are worn, we need to symbolically describe the significance of masks. For this reason, andin order to fully understand the meaning of masks, we have employed an educational approach to each of the public performances, scientific conventions, and the exhibition.

This year, we have prepared a special session to help us understand the activities of international organizations and the intangible assets and mask culture of different countries, with a particular focus on masks from Weifang (China), Bali (Indonesia), and the Masskara Festival in the Philippines. In large, these regions embody the cultures of Northeast and Southeast Asia, and epitomize cultures with well-preserved traditions.

Weifang, China is located in close proximity to Taishan Mountain, Bohai Sea, and Laizhou Port to the north. The region also has Qingdao to the east and Jinan to the west. Due to this location, Weifang is well-known in China as a region with a very high concentration of many different tribes. The region also functions as the transportation hub that connects Shandong region to the regions in the inner land.

Bali is referred to as Indonesia's "island of dance" or the "island of gods." The Balinese people have preserved their unique culture and arts, which worships animals, gods, and humans.The Hindu Dharma, the religious belief system of Bali, governs all activities of the daily life of the Balinese, working, sleeping, eating, dancing and praying.

The Masskara festival in the Philippines is a relatively modern festival which began in the 1980s and still gathers the attention of a very large audience. The Masskara mask dance reflects the wisdom of the citizens of Bacolod, who expressed the will to overcome many difficulties in their society by creating masks engraved with a smiling face.

In addition, masks from Australia, where the culture of the country’s indigenous people is well preserved, as well as South Korea will also be exhibited.

The Cultures of each of these countries are not well known to the Korean public. I hope this exhibition and symposium will provide an opportunity for you to better understand and expand your interest and passion in the people, the masks and the culture of these different countries. 

President of  IMACO /  Mayor of Andong    Kim  Hwi-dong