Free exhibition at UCLan showcases work of women divers in Jeju
A free cultural exhibition showcasing a rare part of South Korea’s heritage is now on in Preston.
Haenyeo is the term used for a special group of women, from the South Korean province of Jeju, who dive under the sea without any breathing apparatus.
This new event, taking place at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), features photographs of the women in action and a range of artefacts.
The women, who have passed down their muljil (haenyeo diving) skills through the many generations, practice a sustainable fisheries system to coexist with nature while promoting their culture through a female community.
Among the exhibits on display in UCLan’s PR1 Gallery are the Jeju Haenyeo mullot (the diving suit) and muljil tools from the Haenyeo Museum in South Korea.
"This free exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in Korean culture to learn about such a rare part of South Korea’s culture"
— Dr Sojin Lim, Co-Director of UCLan’s International Institute of Korean Studies
Dr Sojin Lim, Co-Director of UCLan’s International Institute of Korean Studies, said: “The value of the women’s skills on South Korea’s culture is immense, culminating in the recognition by UNESCO in 2016.
“This free exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in Korean culture to learn about such a rare part of South Korea’s culture.”
Haenyeo Exhibition: Experience the Value of Living Heritage of Jeju in South Korea is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm until 30 November.
For more information visit UCLan's What's On page.