Photo courtesy of Patsy Surh O’Connell
HIGH FASHION. Members of Korean Women’s Association wear traditional Korean attire.
The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge has recently been finished, but on Aug. 18, a new bridge will begin construction over the Korean to American culture gap.
The Washington State History Museum presents Korean Cultural Day as a way to enhance the themes and international ties to the construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in its "Bridging the Narrows" exhibit.
The history museum, as well as Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC), Korean's Woman Association and Ochatsa created this collaborative event in order to bring awareness as well as to celebrate Korean culture, as it is an integral part of the Northwest community.
Because "Bridging the Narrows" features artifacts and photographs of all three bridges, the international business cooperation between Korea and the Northwest in regards to the third bridge is only touched on at the end of the exhibit, so the museum took the initiative to expand on the local relevance of Korean culture in the community.
Regena Kowitz, public relations coordinator for the history museum, said part of the goal of the event is to reach out to the Korean community, as well as to educate the non-Korean community.
Pierce County alone has over 13,000 residents of Korean descent and Korea ranks seventh in the foreign trade market with a total of more than $34 billion in imports and exports, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Samsung Heavy Industries is a rapidly growing Korean business expanding into trade markets all over the world, including the Northwest's latest major waterway project, the third Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
"It's about celebrating the connection between Korea and the Northwest," said Phil Chang, executive director for the APCC.
The event will highlight traditional elements of Korean culture as well as reflect its link to the local community.
There will be activities and presentations for children and adults such as Hanji paper folding and demonstrations of Tae Kwon Do as well as a performance by a Korean drum group. Members of the Korean Woman's Association will be present wearing traditional Korean dresses and serving food and tea samples as part of a Korean tea ceremony.
"There's a little something for everyone," Chang said. "I don't think anyone would be disappointed."
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