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Explore ASEAN Culture through the Culture Discovery Box

Indonesian Culture Discovery Box ‘Apa kabar Indonesia’

We live in a multicultural world that increasingly showcases the richness of diverse cultures. In Korea, it is now easy to find a restaurant that serves ASEAN cuisine or pass by foreigners on the street. In response to the growing presence of foreign citizens in Korea, schools and other educational institutions offer programs on cultural diversity. Now, more than ever, we are required to have the ability to understand and respect other people’s cultures.

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea offers a “Culture Discovery Box,” a program that gives young museum-goers the chance to experience cultures other than their own through large boxes filled with items that represent a particular country. The box is a useful and meaningful multi-sensory resource that can help children develop an awareness of Korea’s multicultural society.

Each of the rectangular boxes are filled with objects related to four ASEAN cultures: Viet Nam (Xin Chao Viet Nam), the Philippines (Kumusta Philippines), Indonesia (Apa kabar Indonesia), and Thailand (Swasdī Thailand). There will also be a Korean box (Annyeong Korea) on Korean’s culture and society.

What makes the boxes fun for children is that they can be experienced with much more than just the eyes, with separate boxes for brightly-colored traditional clothing, shoes, beloved traditional games, traditional musical instruments, and objects related to popular festivals. The Culture Discovery Box is a wonderful opportunity for children to experience, albeit indirectly, the cultures of ASEAN countries through both tangible and intangible materials.

Boxes can be rented, upon request, by educational institutions (usually schools or museums) but not by individuals. Thus far, boxes have been used by many daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary schools, and libraries throughout Korea. The Indonesia boxes will be offered at Cheonan Museum until October 31 (Tuesday to Friday) to groups of toddlers and children. Those who wish to use the boxes are advised to contact the museum in advance of their visit.

Source: Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea