Traditional temples and statues of Korea

There is the Gochangeupseong fortress, which depicts men with baggy trousers, blue jackets and brightly coloured pompoms on their heads. They are beating drums and circling in a single file on top of a fortress. Old buildings and trees are seen in the backdrop.

Next is the reenacting of the wedding of queen Myeongseong. The queen is dressed in rich crimson and bears a crown. Courtiers bow on two sides and front of the stage, while at the back is the rapt audience of men, women and children. The palace guards are in red and blue and sport golden caps. There is then the ancestral ceremony in which middle-aged men in white robes take part in a function with bowls of oranges and chicken.

The Hwaeomsa temple is shown with worshippers, wearing mauve and pink coats and playing instruments that look like violins. The wedding day brings in a bride carried in a large wicker and cane covered palanquin by two bearers. A group of well-wishers follow in a trailing line. There is the wedding day itself with the bride in heavy silks and brocade with the attendants in red, yellow and black. There are items of food on the table and these are integral part of the ceremony. While the bride bends down, the groom is standing, and the onlookers are gathered in the distance.

There is a delightful photograph of a typical fan dance. The smiling young dancers, dressed in pink and green, with ribbons on their yokes, bear fans decorated with pictures of peonies. The picture Experience brings in expatriates and locals, dressed in traditional Korean garments, dancing to music. The Han River festival brings in a boat rowing competition. The boats have the age-old heads of dragons carved on their helms. The Lotus lantern festival eve depicts people bearing glowing pink lanterns in the shape of lotuses. The worshippers have head-gears, necklaces and flowing robes. The people move in unison and sway their hands in rhythmic motions. Then there is the picture of the Hwaeomsa temple with its statues of crouching lions and gods with pagoda shaped carved tilting roofs. All around are green grass and hedges. The photo of Jeju Island with its cement statues is also breathtaking.

Going around the display room one gets a good measure of exposure to traditional Korean life.