Peace blooming from the brush tips of K-Folk painting, "The power of Korean traditional beauty reaffirmed in Belarus"

By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The K-Folk Painting Invitational Exhibition, "Folk Painting, the Beauty of Korea," held in Minsk, Belarus, was more than just a simple exhibition. With over 6,000 local residents in attendance, it was a vivid testament to cultural diplomacy, demonstrating how the warm sensibility and artistic spirit of Korean folk painting transcends borders and permeates the hearts of a nation.

Folk painting is a painting born from the everyday lives of nameless people, yet it embodies wisdom, hope, and the desire for peace. Tigers, lotuses, the sun and moon, fortune and longevity. These symbols embody the Korean spirit and, at the same time, the universal values aspired by humanity: peace, harmony, and happiness.

The Belarusian Minister of Culture and Sports and the Korean delegation pose for a commemorative photo after their meeting. They are gifting a K-folk painting, a tiger painting, symbolizing the cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

Tradition is not a mere vestige of time, but a river of spirit flowing from generation to generation. This K-Folk painting exhibition in Minsk demonstrated how tradition can blossom with new meaning in today's world. Art conveys understanding before words.

This exhibition featured 53 leading K-Folk painting artists, showcasing works imbued with Korean aesthetics and warmth. Even more significant was the fact that 34 of the works were officially donated to the National Museum of Fine Arts of Belarus. It was a moment of sharing, connecting, and proving friendship through art. Local citizens, sensing Korean sentiments in the folk paintings, felt the warmth of their colors, and gazed intently at the works. In their eyes, I saw the power of art to open hearts before words. This is art, this is diplomacy.

The Director of the National Art Museum of Belarus and Chairman Lee Jong-young of Diplomacy Journal exchange documents donating K-folk painting pieces, confirming cooperation in cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries.

“K-Folk Painting is the heart of Korea communicating with the world,” I said at the opening ceremony. “Tradition is not a relic of the past, but a mirror reflecting the present and a light opening the future.” K-Folk Painting is not a painting from the past. It is the heart of the Korean people living within these paintings. This sentiment touched the hearts of the Belarusian people, and from that encounter, the seeds of friendship and respect sprouted. Donating Korean folk paintings to foreign museums is not simply a transfer of artwork. It conveys the spirit, philosophy, and aesthetics embedded within them.

A symbolic donation for the globalization of traditional Korean painting. This donation of ten folding screens marks the first large-scale K-minhwa folding screen to be acquired by the National Art Museum of Belarus. It holds significant cultural and diplomatic significance, ushering in the globalization of traditional Korean art. The "Ten Symbols of Longevity," which embody Korea's auspicious principles, conveys a message of peace, health, and prosperity to the Belarusian people and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries through art.

Love and peace ultimately begin with art. During the exhibition, we explored the diverse possibilities for the globalization of K-minhwa through meetings with the Deputy Minister of Culture, discussions of collaboration with the director of the National Art Museum, interviews with local media, and master classes.

Participants in the "K-Minhwa One-Day Master Class" held at the National Art Museum of Belarus pose for a commemorative photo holding the traditional fans they completed. Professor Lee Mi-hyung, who led the class, is in the center, sharing the beauty of Korean folk painting with local residents.

Belarus wholeheartedly welcomed the dedication and passion of the Korean artists, and local museums described it as a "great honor" to have Korean works in their collections.

Art is the warmest and most honest language that connects different nations. This language, through this exhibition, united the hearts of our two countries.

Local participants gather at the K-Minhwa One-Day Master Class held at the National Art Museum of Belarus to learn traditional Korean folk painting techniques. Participants, filling a long table, meticulously paint traditional patterns such as tigers, birds, and the Ten Symbols of Longevity on fans, experiencing firsthand the colors and lines of Korean folk painting. At the back of the classroom, original K-minhwa works are displayed, creating a vibrant learning environment where theory and practice coexist. The instructors and teaching assistants meticulously answer participants' questions and assist with every brushstroke, while the Korean delegation also observes the workshop, adding to the meaningful exchange. This masterclass serves as a platform for Belarusians to learn and experience the beauty of traditional Korean art firsthand, and it is a moving moment that represents an important step toward the globalization of K-minhwa.

K-minhwa is a brush that paints peace. While the exhibition in Minsk has concluded, its resonance will last a long time. The tigers, flowers, and symbols of good fortune and water in Korean folk paintings will now gently resonate in the daily lives of the Belarusian people. Folk painting is a brush that paints peace, a bridge that connects the world, and a light that opens the future. Just as Korea's artistic spirit has taken root in Belarus, K-folk painting will continue to blossom into new cultural flowers all over the world.

Kancho Arina, who served as an interpreter and teaching assistant at the "K-minhwa One-Day Masterclass" held at the National Museum of Art of Belarus, poses for a commemorative photo in front of a folk painting exhibiting her work, holding a bouquet of flowers. Kancho Arina quickly mastered the intricate expressive techniques of folk painting and skillfully guided the local participants, drawing significant attention for her exceptional skills and playing a crucial role in bringing the sensibility and beauty of Korean folk painting to Belarus.

I believe that culture is another name for diplomacy, and that art is the purest force that connects hearts across borders. I hope that this Belarus K-folk painting invitational exhibition will be long remembered as a brilliant cultural feast that fosters the friendship between Korea and Belarus.

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