Connecting the World Through Art, “The 29th World Peace Art Exhibition stands tall as an international cultural and arts festival”

UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | The 29th World Peace Art Exhibition, a representative international cultural and arts event of Korea, was successfully held on July 29 at the Korea Art Museum in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Domestic and international cultural and artistic figures, diplomatic envoys in Korea, and steering committee members participating in the 29th World Peace Art Exhibition—embodying the theme of "Peace Created Together, Future Opened Together"—have gathered for a commemorative photo. It is a meaningful moment that connects borders through art, communicates with the world through culture, and shares the values of peace and coexistence. This event, where diverse cultures and arts harmonize as one, signals a new leap forward toward the world as a representative international cultural and artistic platform of South Korea.

This event was organized by the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee and Diplomatic Journal, co-hosted by the World Peace Art Exhibition Steering Committee and the Damhwa Cultural Foundation, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Province, the Federation of Korean Arts and Culture Organizations (KFACO), Citizen Administration Newspaper, Diplomatic Journal, Damhwa Cultural Foundation, K-Minhwa, K-Culture, UN Journal, and K-Graphy.

"A historic moment announcing the opening of the 29th World Peace Art Exhibition." Diplomatic envoys from home and abroad, along with figures from the cultural and artistic world, are cutting the ribbon together to declare the powerful opening of the 29th World Peace Art Exhibition. It is a meaningful moment where art, diplomacy, and culture unite to begin a new journey toward world peace.

This year, over 1,200 works from 30 countries were submitted to Daejeon, and approximately 550 winners were selected following a rigorous screening process. The exhibition will be held from July 29 to August 3 on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Korea Art Museum, showcasing works across various genres including painting, Korean painting, sculpture, crafts, photography, AI art, K-Minhwa, and K-Graphy, allowing visitors to experience the diversity of global culture and artistic value in one place.

"104-Year-Old Master of Hyeokpil Paints World Peace with Brushstrokes" Master Heo-un Nam Sang-jun, a leading figure in Korean Hyeokpil, is completing a large-scale work titled "World Peace," measuring 5 meters in length, on the spot. His artistic spirit, which has continued for over a century, conveyed messages of peace and hope with every brushstroke, deeply moving the audience.

A Festival of World Peace Where Art and Diplomacy Meet
The event began with a pre-ceremony program. Heo-un Nam Sang-jun, a 104-year-old master of Korean leather brushwork (Hyeokpil), received thunderous applause from the audience for a special performance in which he completed a large-scale, 5-meter-long work titled "World Peace" on the spot.

"Respect and Gratitude for a 104-Year Artistic Life" Damhwa Lee Jon-young, Chairman of the Damhwa Cultural Foundation, is presenting a longevity scholarship certificate and scholarship to Heo-un Nam Sang-jun, a master of Korean Hyeokpil. It is a meaningful moment to convey respect and gratitude for the life of an artist who has preserved Korean traditional art for a long time.

Following this, the "Jo Nang-gyeong Gounjarak" K-Minhwa Hanbok Fashion Show took place, introducing the beauty of traditional Korean Hanbok and K-Minhwa to domestic and international dignitaries and further heightening the atmosphere of the event. At the opening ceremony, Lee Jon-young, Chairman of the Damhwa Cultural Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, and Kim Yong-mo, Chairman of the Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of international cultural exchange, stating, "Art is a language of peace that unites people of the world beyond borders and languages."

World Cultures Become One in Seoul.
Approximately 350 people, including diplomatic representatives such as the Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Korea and his wife, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Korea, and the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Uzbekistan to Korea, as well as domestic and international cultural and artistic figures, attended the awards ceremony.

In his congratulatory remarks, Paul Duclos Parodi, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Korea, stated, "Art is the most powerful force that connects people across languages and borders." He introduced Chicha Art, a representative urban folk art of Peru, and highly praised the World Peace Art Exhibition for growing into an important platform for promoting international cultural diversity. Alisher Avdusalomov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea, offered his congratulations, stating, "As a central nation on the Silk Road, Uzbekistan regards cultural exchange as a core value for national development," and added, "I hope this World Peace Art Exhibition will serve as an opportunity to further deepen friendship and mutual understanding between nations."

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Korea remarked, "Art is the most beautiful bridge that enables us to understand and respect different cultures and traditions," and expressed his hope that "the World Peace Art Exhibition will further develop into a venue for international cultural exchange where artists from around the world share friendship and trust."

"The Heart of Longevity and Filial Piety Embodied in Andongpo." A presentation ceremony for Andongpo worth 9 million won and longevity scholarship certificates, made possible by the meaningful sponsorship of Yoo Seok-woo, CEO of Bitgaram Co., Ltd. Reflecting on the meaning of filial piety and longevity contained in traditional Andongpo, the event created a touching moment where art, sharing, and traditional culture became one.

Special Tribute Ceremony Dedicated to a 104-Year-Old Master of Hyeokpil:
A special tribute ceremony for Master Heo-un Nam Sang-jun was also held during the awards ceremony. Chairman Lee Jon-young of Damhwa presented Master Nam with a longevity scholarship certificate, a scholarship of 1.04 million won, and a certificate of enshrinement worth 10 million won, expressing deep respect for his contributions to the development of traditional Korean art. In addition, an Andongpo burial shroud worth 9 million won was presented to wish for longevity and health. This Andongpo was prepared through a donation by Yoo Seok-woo, CEO of Bitgaram Co., Ltd. On this day, CEO Yoo also sponsored a traditional Andongpo durumagi for Lee Jon-young, Chairman of Damhwa, thereby promoting the excellence of our traditional textile culture.

Artist Kim Jae-seon Honored with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award
The Grand Prize (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award), the highest award in this year's competition, was awarded to artist Kim Jae-seon for his eight-panel folding screen depicting the banquet at the Yojiyeon.
The Mayor of Seoul Award went to artists Bae Jeong-hee (Western Painting), Yang Bo-kyung (K-Graphy), and Oh Yun-kyung (K-Folk Painting). Furthermore, various special awards were presented, including the Speaker of the National Assembly Award, the Ambassador of Peru, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the Leadership Award, the Top Excellence Award, the Excellence Award, and the UN Journal's Great K-100 Award. Korea’s Largest Cultural Sharing Event for Artists

At this awards ceremony, Chairman Lee Jon-young of Damhwa presented 110 invited and recommended artists with enshrinement certificates worth 4 million won each, free of charge.
The donation of enshrinement certificates totaling 440 million won is a cultural and artistic sponsorship project designed to support the welfare and creative activities of artists. It was recognized as a meaningful example of social contribution, rarely seen in the domestic art world.

Participants of the K-Minhwa Hanbok Fashion Show, presented by Jo Nang-gyeong’s 'Gounjarak' under the theme "The Beauty of K-Minhwa Blooming in Hanbok," gathered in one place. The stage, which harmonized the elegance of traditional Hanbok with the artistry of Minhwa, received great applause as it showcased the beauty of Korea to the world.

Leaping Forward as Korea’s Representative International Cultural and Artistic Platform:
Approximately 350 people attended the event to celebrate its successful hosting. These included Chairman Lee Jon-young of Damhwa, Steering Committee Chairman Kim Yong-mo, Directors Lee Mi-hyung and Kim Na-eun, Auditor Kim Dong-hyun, Venerable Iljeong, Kim Ui-seung (Chairman of the Andong Hemp Industry Association and former First Vice Mayor of Seoul), Kwon Young-ho (Director of the Andong History and Culture Museum), Yoo Seok-woo (CEO of Bitgaram Co., Ltd.), steering committee members, judges, and domestic and international artists. Lee Jon-young, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Damhwa, stated, "Art is a language of peace that unites the world across borders," adding, "We will further develop the World Peace Art Exhibition into a representative international cultural and artistic platform of Korea to expand cultural exchanges with countries around the world and continuously pursue various support projects for artists."

The 29th World Peace Art Exhibition has established itself as Korea's leading international cultural and artistic platform where art, diplomacy, traditional culture, and sharing come together, going beyond a simple competition. It has also presented a new vision as a central stage for cultural exchange connecting the world beyond Seoul.

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