Objectives

The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (CHF) was established, aimed at protecting and preserving Korea’s cultural properties, creatively enhancing, developing and utilizing its traditional lifestyle culture, and thereby promote the preservation and safeguarding of the national culture as well as the culture in Asia. Since 1980, CHF has executed various projects that involve traditional ceremonies, arts, crafts, foods, performances, and exhibitions; diverse cultural experiences; educational and publishing activities; and tourism products, including the traditional wedding experience. CHF has conducted research projects involving excavation of cultural properties in order to continue and distribute the traditional culture of Korea as widely as possible. Moreover, CHF has involved a number of projects for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage among the Asia-Pacific countries.

Cooperation

Promotion and Enhancement: 1- Living Human Treasures' showcases and Permanent Exhibitions The Living Human Treasures' showcase in particular craft work, organized by CHF is held annually every May to June by inviting elderly holders of Intangible Cultural Properties (Living Human Treasure), in order to display their art work, and learn about the skill lineage of a given intangible cultural heritage. The permanent exhibitions designed by CHF is held all the year round at the Important Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmitters' Centre, to encourage and promote the creative activities of the ICH holders, inform the public about Korea’s Intangible Cultural Properties system by highlighting government-designated Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and expand the traditional craftwork base through experience programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. 2- Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage Events CHF organizes the intangible cultural heritage events in the local provinces of Korea to increase interest in Important Intangible Cultural Properties among local residents and thereby contribute to safeguarding of national culture, and to display the class and excellence of traditional Korean culture more widely. 3- Pung-ryu yard playing The traditional art performances of intangible cultural heritage staged in the Important Cultural Heritage Transmitters' Centre, Korea Cultural House and Korea House are designed to preserve and promote our traditional culture every Friday all year round. Transmission and formal or non-formal education 1- Field Investigation of Cultural Heritage The program ' Field Investigation of Cultural Heritage' was initiated in 1987 in order to provide the general public chances to be interested in the cultural heritage and to have better understanding in the Korean culture. The members of Cultural Properties Committee designated by Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea provide guides and thorough lectures. 2- Korean Traditional Craft Architecture school The Craft Architecture school was founded in 1995, aimed at education and transmission of skills and techniques of traditional handcraft art as well as fostering future generation. Currently there are about 14 courses such as Chimseon (needlework), Daemok (large scale carpentry), and dancheong (Architectural Colour decoration) so on. These courses are taught by experts who are nationally, municipally, or provincially designated 'Living Human Treasures' in Korea. Revitalization 1- Re-enactment of Royal Court Ceremonies CHF has opened re-enacted events for the general public according to 5 categorized royal court ceremonies such as ceremonies for Opening and Closing the Royal Palace Gates and the Gate Guards Changing Shifts, the Royal Banquet for celebration the Joseon king Teongjo's 50th birthday, the Royal Wedding Ceremony and the Representation of the King's Enthronement Ceremony since 2002.