Korean Culture in Burgas: Shamanism, Festivals and Customs in Lectures by Sofia University

Following the meetings in Burgas that drew audiences around the topics of China and Korea, the Burgas Branch of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" continues its cultural and educational series with a new event dedicated to Korean culture. On April 25th (Saturday) at 13:00, in the NHK Cultural House (hall "Sofia University") two open lectures will be held, offering a different perspective on Korea - through the spiritual practices, holidays and customs that continue to exist and change. 

The first lecture - "Journey into the world of the living tradition of Korean shamanism" - will be presented by Dr. Svetoslava Peycheva, a lecturer at the Faculty of Classical and New Philologies of Sofia University. The topic leads to one of the most interesting layers of Korean cultural memory – rituals, beliefs and symbols that are still present in the life of the community and in the perception of the world.

The second lecture - "Korean holidays and customs: between tradition and modernity" - will be given by Dr. Raina Beneva from the department "Korean Studies". The focus is on the way traditional holidays and customs are preserved, changed and find a place in contemporary culture – between generations, the urban environment and new forms of communication.

The event is part of the series of meetings that the Burgas branch of Sofia University organizes during the spring months to present different aspects of Eastern cultures – with authoritative guests, topics from real life and the opportunity for direct contact with the university environment.

The initiative is a natural continuation of the profile of the Branch and its new bachelor's programs, aimed at training highly qualified specialists with Japanese, Korean and Chinese language and modern pedagogical methodology.