| Title | Cheonju-si Holds Opening Ceremony for the Chopstick Research Institute and Talk Concert |
|---|---|
| Writer | Culture & Arts Division |
| Subject |
- Opening of Korea’s First Chopstick Research Institute… Holding a Talk Concert on the Science and Cultural Value of Using Chopsticks -
Cheongju-si became the first region in Korea to open a chopstick research institute. The city held an opening ceremony for the Chopstick Research Institute on the 16th at 3:30pm in the 2nd floor of the Cheongju High-tech Cultural and Industrial Complex. The event was attended by over 150 citizens of Cheongju-si, including Cheongju Mayor Lee Sung Hun. The opening ceremony began with the opening session, and was followed in order by an introduction of the VIPs, words of greetings, granting of appointment letters as honorary heads of the institute, cutting ceremony, and a facility tour. The Chopstick Research Institute will take up the role of conducting research on Korea’s utensil culture and developing various contents, including publications, concerts, and cultural products. Furthermore, it will cooperate with chopstick cultural groups in Korea, China, and Japan to carry out the formation of a cultural community in East Asia. Secretary General Kim Ho-il of the Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation will be serving as the head of the research institute, while Team Leader ByeongGwang-seop of the Content Promotion Team will serve as Senior Researcher, and others including calligrapher Shin Cheol-u will be active as full-time researchers. Additionally, the first Minister of Culture Lee Eo-ryeong, Director Lee Si-hyung of the Serotonin Cultural Center, CEO Park Jin-seon of Sempio, and CEO Lee Hyeon-ja of ZEN were appointed as advisors of the Chopstick Research Institute. Over 20 professionals in fields such as survey and research, education, marketing, and product development will be appointed as honorary researchers and begin conducting research at the institute. These include Senior Researcher Kim Yang-sik of the Chungbuk Research Institute, Professor Jang Rae-hyeok at the Global Cyber University (Department of Integrated Brain Education), Professor Kim Pil-su at Daelim University College (Dept. of Automotive Engineering), Professor JeongJin-seop of ChungbukNational University (College of Business), former Professor Kim Eun-ju of Chungbuk National University (Department of Food and Nutrition), Professor Lee Gyu-nam of Cheongju University (Department of Craft&Design), and Professor Song Yeon-ho of Korea National University of Transportation (Major of Communication Design). The research institute plans to publish teaching materials on chopstick education by the second half of the year, hold an international academic symposium, and develop chopstick-related cultural products and expand its scope of business. Prior to the opening ceremony, Professor Lee Si-hyung, a major figure in Korea’s psychiatric circles, held a talk concert on the theme of ‘Using Chopsticks and Neuroscience’ at the Youth Dream Factory on the 2nd floor of the Cheongju High-tech Cultural and Industrial Complex. The professor explained the scientific truth and cultural value of chopstick culture, saying, “The act of using chopsticks stimulates the brain, which helps develop outstanding brains.” He continued, “Just as even Alvin Toffler stated that people who use chopsticks will stand at the top of the Information Age of the 21st century and play a vital role in high-tech science, chopsticks are not simple tools. Rather, they are a culture in of themselves and the most important facet of developing outstanding minds.” Professor Lee stated, “Learning how to use chopsticks requires undergoing a difficult learning process that involves no small amount of failure and frustration, and those who are left-handed need to work through even more intensive training”, and continued, “People must learn how to start using chopsticks at the ages of 2 to 3, when they begin to differentiate the movements of their fingers, in order to naturally use them by the age of 6.” Additionally, he noted, “Unlike the Chinese or Japanese, who use wooden chopsticks, Koreans use heavy metal chopsticks that require even more practice and focus to use properly, and as fingers contain approximately 30 joints and 60 muscles, using chopsticks accelerates the brain’s activities, helping people in developing creativity, observational skills, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.” The evolution of humanity was kicked off as mankind learned to use their hand in a variety of ways, leading to the development of civilization and culture. Thus, the professor’s point was that proper use of the hands would stimulate the brain, furthering the development of brain circuits and bringing about mutual cooperation and coordination to create unique human values. Professor Lee stated, “Proper education on chopstick use will help people develop stable emotions, form proper personalities, and gain a challenging spirit and patience”, and continued, “People begin to develop confidence in their chopstick skills when they train themselves through their own efforts and find it engaging, as opposed to when they are forced to do so.” Following that, he said, “Cheongju-si was able to specialize in chopstick contents such as the Chopstick Festival because it has a philosophical foundation that emphasizes life culture and life education”, and said, “If we can systemize Korean-style dining table education, we can spread it to the world and turn it into the new Korean Wave.” Professor Lee Si-hyung has served as the President of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, a Professor at the School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, and Director of the Social Mental Health Institute affiliated with Samsung Life. He is currently the Chief of Healienceseonmaeul as well as the Director of the Serotonin Cultural Center. ▶ 문의 :청주시 문화예술과 문화예술팀(☎043-201-2012) 청주시문화산업진흥재단 콘텐츠진흥팀(☎043-219-1212) |
| File |
| 이전글 | View and Confirm Individual Housing Prices as of June 1st, 2017 |
|---|---|
| 다음글 | Cheongju Tap Water Production Process 'Good', Jibuk Purification Plant, Where People from Overseas Visit |