Jeollabuk-do is called the province of arts, as there are poems, paintings, Pansori, and calligraphy in this region. As, originally, poems, calligraphy, and paintings were one, and Pansori is a lengthy gasa literary genre, the arts of Jeollabuk-do are proud of belonging to humanities as they all contain profound philosophy as well as arts themselves.
Especially, calligraphy is the essential part of cultural arts of the east-Asian Chinese culture range, so only strict humanitarian self training can raise its artistic values. I think we are all blessed as we hold the World Calligraphy Biennale of Jeollabuk-do, the feast of calligraphy, here in Jeollabuk-do, the center of arts and humanities, every other year.
Since it took its first step as a cultural event to commemorate the 1997 Winter Universiade Muju, the World Calligraphy Biennale of Jeollabuk-do has developed and grown to be one of the top international calligraphy festivals with the largest scale and greatest authority over the last 22 years.
This year, we have prepared 28 programs divided into five sections for the monumental 10th anniversary. We hope calligraphy can play a role to lead the era of humanities. We truly appreciate the calligraphy artists in Korea and from all over the world who submitted their great works for our festival.
Further, I'd like to express my sincere thanks to the Jeollabuk-do Government and Jeollabuk-do Provincial Assembly and all the related institutes for their generous support both materially and spiritually.
Thank you again to the artists who submitted their great works, and thank you to the staff members who have dedicated themselves to the 10th World Calligraphy Biennale, and lastly I wish you good luck.