Tuesday, November 1, 2022
“Talchum,” or the traditional Korean mask dance, is all but certain to be added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, according to the international body and Korean authorities on Tuesday.
On UNESCO’s official homepage, there is an entry titled “Talchum, Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea” and it is recommended for inscription on the list during a subpanel meeting of its Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is a de facto approval, but the final decision will be made formally during the 17th committee meeting in Moroco next month.
Talchum, where actors and actresses perform in a variety of traditional masks, often combines dance with a narrative, as it has the characteristics of both performing arts and drama.
South Korea has so far 21 entries listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage - the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Talchum, if added, would be the 22nd cultural heritage following “yeondeunghoe” and many others.