For more than a thousand years Koreans have used what they call Hanji (shown above) or traditional paper made out of the bark of mulberry trees to make everything from household objects to impressive works of art.

The handmade paper is so strong and impervious to wind that it was even used for making screen doors and windows in traditional Korean houses.

Hanji can also be used for interior decorations, wallpaper, clothes, furniture, and more, and is environmentally friendly.

But with the increased use of synthetically mass-produced paper the number of Hanji makers is on the decrease.

To counter this decline, the city of Wonju in Gangwon-do (province) has been hosting its very own annual Hanji festival.

Wonju, located southeast of Seoul, is where Hanji is known to have originated. The city is renowned for its high quality Korean paper and it still possesses the highest papermaking skills to this day.

The Wonju Hanji Festival is Korea’s largest festival of its kind, and there you can get a taste of the fascinating paper-crafting culture infused with the wisdom and style of the Korean people.

Similarly, a Hanju Culture Festival was held in the city of Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province) from May 2 to May 5 for the 12th year.
Visitors can even try their hands at making various items using Hanji.

In its 10th year, this year’s event will be held in the Chiak Art Center district from Sept 24 through 28 under the theme “Into the Light of Hanji.”

It will offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty and versatility of Korean traditional hand-made paper, with exhibitions, workshops, educational programs, events and seminars at various venues around the Chiak Art Center in Wonju.

You can start by learning how to make Hanji by watching one of several demonstrations held throughout the five-day festival.

It takes a great deal of work to make just one piece of Hanji.

The first step starts with steaming paper mulberry for seven hours. After that, the bark is peeled off, washed, then left to bleach in water for a day. The steam dried mulberry fibers are then beaten and washed again to extract the impurities.

The mulberry is then mixed together with a special glue.

The final part is drying. The wet paper is brushed repeatedly during the drying process.

You too can take part in the paper-making process.

In addition, the experience of making objects out of Hanji is also something you should try.

Hanji saucers, mirrors, pencil cases, jewelry boxes, necklaces, bracelets, key chains, fans, vases or your own original idea – you can make any of these things.

Participation costs from 1,000 to 5,000 won depending on materials.

The highlight of the festival is the Hanji fashion show, in which models pose in clothes made from the paper.

Hanji can be used to make clothing worn for a short period of time, such as wedding dresses, X-ray gowns, funeral garments and also costumes for entertainers.

Local designers in cooperation with fashion students have spent months ahead of the festival designing garments made from the paper, ranging from daily outfits to evening and wedding dresses.

This year’s fashion show will feature mulberry wedding dresses designed by five new fashion designers, including Professor Kim Yang-jin at Sangji Youngseo University.

Throughout the festival, there will also be an international exhibition of artworks by international paper artists.

Source: Korea.net