Healing Loneliness through Culture: The Ministry of Culture Launches the ‘Cultural Discourse Project’

Yu In-chon: “Solving Social Issues with the Healing Power of Culture”,

[Seoul=NEWSIS] Experiential temporary space ‘Home of Loneliness’. (Poster provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), “[Seoul=NEWSIS] Reporter Lee Ye-seul = The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 25th that it will promote the ‘Culture Discourse Project’ to discuss and heal loneliness through culture until next month.”,
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, “In order to solve social issues faced by our community, a cultural approach is deemed necessary. Therefore, a forum on ‘loneliness’, which has been intensified since the social distancing during the pandemic, will be held.”,
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, “Although we live in an era of ‘hyper-connectivity’ due to technological advancements, the physical and psychological disconnection between people is deepening. According to last year’s ‘National Social Connection Status Survey’ by the Ministry of Culture, seven out of ten citizens reported ‘feeling lonely on a regular basis.'”,
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, “The Ministry considers ‘connection through culture’ to be meaningful in soothing loneliness and intends to provide opportunities for forming relationships and engaging experiences through culture discourse projects leveraging arts and humanities.”,
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, “First, there’s an emphasis on widely spreading the awareness that connecting with others through culture is pivotal to alleviating loneliness. Last October, an academic seminar was held to discuss cultural policy directions to alleviate loneliness. In December, experts from various fields such as psychology, humanities, and religion will gather to contemplate the role of cultural policies in an era of loneliness.”,
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, “National institutions, regions, and private organizations have also joined forces. On the 27th, the National Library of Korea will hold an event titled ‘Library Walk: A Heart Walk with the Library’ to comfort lonely youth. Starting with a reading of works by Yu Hee-kyung, CEO Yoo Seung-kyu from ‘Scary Company’ will give a lecture on overcoming isolation and seclusion, bringing together young people who have experienced loneliness, isolation, and withdrawal to share their concerns.”,
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, “Programs will follow, such as the pilot operation of the ‘Humanities Train’ to connect hearts through humanities content while feeling the atmosphere of regions like Uljin, Andong, and Yeongju. Other programs include sharing loneliness through books at small local bookstores, supporting middle-aged individuals in overcoming loneliness with performances and lectures at six youth cultural spaces nationwide, and a humanities documentary film festival focused on loneliness (November 27–28 at the Korean Film Archive and December 17–18 at the Gwangju Independent Film Theater).”,
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, “On December 20–21, a temporary space will be set up in the Seongsu-dong area of Seoul to provide opportunities for understanding and sharing experiences through talk concerts, cultural experience events, and training sessions on overcoming loneliness and isolation.”,
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, “This project, which began its first steps this year, will continue into the next year. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to expand the role of culture in addressing various social issues such as loneliness, regional extinction, and social conflicts.”,
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, “Yu In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, ‘We are focusing on making cultural policies that can propose alternatives and solve the realistic problems of society,’ adding that ‘We will use the positive powers of culture, such as healing, respect, and integration, to enhance the satisfaction of the people’s lives.””,
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