Traditional Korean culture to be promoted at Seoul fair

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of market creators and culture devotees gathered in Seoul Thursday as the Korean Style Expo opened here displaying a variety of goods exemplifying Korea's traditional culture.

With hopes of boosting exports and expanding global recognition of Korean
culture, the South Korean government has been striving to promote various
disciplines in the country's traditional culture while mixing its components with
modern trends here.
Marking its third anniversary this year, the annual Korea Style Expo
(www.koreastyleexpo.com) opened for a four-day run at the COEX in southern Seoul,
showcasing the Korean alphabet Hangeul, food, costumes, housing, music and
paperware in six categories.
As the largest event since its establishment, the 2009 Korean Style Expo will be
joined by 133 domestic firms setting up 350 booths for anticipated visitors of
more than 40,000, the culture ministry said in a press release.
As a massive fair for buyers, ordinary visitors and anyone interested in Korean
style, visitors will be offered the chance to sample a bit of Korean traditional
culture with a modern kick, the ministry said.
The main section titled "Now, Here, We," will display various goods mixing
traditional wares with contemporary trends.
One-on-one business meetings will be prepared, as well as various promotional
presentations, for both participating companies and potential buyers.
A slew of other programs are also expected to please non-business audience
members, such as traditional folk music performances, Korean cuisine cooking and
Korean paper making sessions.
Various Korean dishes and beverages including Jeonju bibimbap (mixed rice bowl)
and Cheongdo Wine will be introduced during the fair.
hayney@yna.co.kr