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Busan Metropolitan City to Operate “Visiting Intangible Heritage Playground” for Children in Western Busan

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will operate the “Visiting Intangible Heritage Playground,” an experiential education program designed to nurture cultural awareness among the younger generation, free of charge in the western districts of the city this November.

Now in its second year, the program was created to provide children in the western region—where access to cultural experiences is relatively limited—with opportunities to engage closely with traditional culture.

This year, the program will be held in the second regional zone, encompassing Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Sasang-gu. A total of 230 participants from local daycare centers and the children’s cultural complex “Deullaknalak” will take part. The participating institutions were selected in advance through collaboration with the Office of Education and related organizations.

[Regional Operation Plan]
Busan has been divided into four zones, and the program will be operated sequentially each year to expand citizens’ access to cultural experiences.

• ●Zone 1 (2024): Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu

• ●Zone 2 (2025): Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu, Sasang-gu, Buk-gu

• ●Zone 3 (2026): Dongnae-gu, Busanjin-gu, Nam-gu, Yeonje-gu

• ●Zone 4 (2027): Haeundae-gu, Geumjeong-gu, Suyeong-gu, Gijang-gun

[Schedule]

Date	Craft	District	Category	Venue
Nov. 4 (Mon)	Pottery Master	Gangseo-gu	Daycare	Daon Daycare Center
Nov. 8 (Fri)	Buddhist Painting Master	Sasang-gu	Children’s Cultural Space	Deullaknalak Sasang Children’s Library
Nov. 10 (Mon)	Pottery Master	Saha-gu	Daycare	Chorokkkum Daycare Center
Nov. 11 (Tue)	Pottery Master	Gangseo-gu	Daycare	Prugio Center Park Daycare
Nov. 18 (Tue)	Pottery Master	Saha-gu	Daycare	Jinseong Daycare Center
Nov. 22 (Sat)	Buddhist Painting Master	Gangseo-gu	Children’s Cultural Space	Deullaknalak Gangseo Miracle Library

The events will feature educational sessions personally conducted by Busan’s intangible heritage holders—Kim Young-gil, Pottery Master, and Kwon Young-kwan, Buddhist Painting Master—who will visit each site and lead participatory classes combining traditional production demonstrations and hands-on practice.

[Experience Programs]

• ●Pottery Master Program: Children will experience the process of shaping clay on a potter’s wheel, guided by the master’s explanations, to create their own small pottery pieces while feeling the texture of the clay.

• ●Buddhist Painting Master Program: Participants will learn about and express traditional dancheong (decorative coloring) patterns and colors. After practicing basic coloring techniques, they will complete a small craft item such as a hand mirror or cup coaster.

This year’s “Visiting Intangible Heritage Playground” has expanded its operational scope and educational content to deliver the value of intangible heritage at a child-friendly level, emphasizing the cultivation of future generations as cultural citizens through play-based experiential learning.

Previously targeting only kindergarteners aged five to six, the program has been broadened to include children in local cultural complexes such as “Deullaknalak,” extending participation to lower-grade elementary school students to enhance accessibility.

The introduction of traditional symbolic characters such as tigers and magpies has also increased engagement and immersion among participants.

In anticipation of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will be held in Busan in 2026—the first time in Korea—the city has strengthened related promotional activities to help young participants naturally understand the meaning and value of cultural heritage.

Through promotional videos and participatory photo events, the purpose of hosting the World Heritage Committee in Busan will be introduced in a way that resonates with children.

Cho Yu-jang, Director of the Culture Bureau, stated, “The Visiting Intangible Heritage Playground is an educational program where children can experience and learn traditional culture in their daily lives. We will continue to expand intangible heritage education so that future generations can understand the roots of their community and develop cultural pride.”