Cultural heritages of Jeju, Lyusi on show at SKCC

An exhibition at the Shanghai Korean Cultural Center (SKCC) has brought together the intangible cultural heritages of China and South Korea.

The Story of the Blue Sea, which features the women divers of Jeju Island and the sailors' chantey of Lyusi in China's Jiangsu province, started on July 21 and will run till Aug 26.

Known as haenyeo, the women divers of Jeju Island dive without the use of oxygen masks to gather shellfish for a living. This way of life, which is centered on a harmonious coexistence with nature, was inscribed on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. The exhibition showcases photos of these women and the scuba gear they use on their dives.

Chantey, or shanty, is the name of traditional songs sung by sailors. In Lyusi, which falls under the administration of Nantong city in Jiangsu province, fishermen sang their own composition of folk songs to relieve stress, synchronize their movements and gather their strength for the hard work on the ocean. The Lyusi Fishermen's Chantey is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Jiangsu province in China.

"We hope to use this exhibition as an opportunity to promote more types of cultural exchanges and enhance friendly relations between the two countries," said Kang Yongmin, head of the Shanghai Korean Cultural Center, during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Liang Ruiting contributed to the story.