Buddha Art Fair & Expo 2024

 

Seoul International Buddhism Expo (BEXPO) and the 12th Buddha Art Fair took place on 4-7 April 2024 at the Seoul Trade Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme "Fun Biddhism". The organisers placed a special focus on bridging the gap between the tradition and the MZ generations. Visitors could enjoy 435 booths with artworks and products by 294 companies including paintings, statues, souvenirs, cultural goods, tea sets, clothes, sticker and more. The opening event was called "Dhamma Talk" - a generational empathy talk-concert featuring electronic dance music, chants and a lecture. BEXPO 2024 recorded a fourfold increase in pre-registrations and a threefold increase in onsite visits compared to last year. Web traffic to the event's homepage increased by 30 times.

 

In his congratulatory speech, Monk Jinwoo, the head of the General Council of the Jogye Sect, said, "This year, we have chosen the slogan 'Fun Buddhism' as a way to add a youthful sensibility to traditional Buddhist culture, reflecting the trend of rapidly increasing interest in traditional Buddhism centered on the young MZ generation" and emphasized, "Through the Buddhist Expo, we will discover Korean-style wellness programs based on Buddhist culture and philosophy, such as temple food, temple stays, and meditation, and propose ways to apply them to real life, which will serve as an innovation platform." Jung Yong-wook, head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Office of Religious Affairs, who attended the opening ceremony, said, "Culture is never created in an instant, and 'K-culture,' which is spreading around the world, was made possible by our own traditional culture that has been firmly rooted for thousands of years. In particular, Buddhist culture, which can be said to be the foundation of our ideology and culture, has played a key role in the inheritance and development of traditional culture. I hope that this Buddhist Expo will serve as an opportunity to once again promote the excellence of Korea's traditional Buddhist culture to the world".

 

A total of 8 new artists (Hwang Che-sang, Cho Min-kyung, Ahn Jin-seok, Lee Seo-eun, Lee Jeong-young, Jung Ha-yul, Kim Min-ji, and Kim Baek-sul) presented new works. Six artists, Bad Boss, Hwang Doo-hyun, Ahn Gil-sang, Shin Jin-hwan, Kang In-nyeong, and Studio Hashim, participated in an art print event the proceeds from which will be donated for a good cause.