Celebrating Freedom and Heritage: Korean Cultural Centre India Marks 80th Korean Liberation Day with Art and Cinema

An Unmissable Cultural Festival in New Delhi

 

To commemorate the landmark 80th Korean Liberation Day, the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) is launching an exceptional program combining art, history, and cinema. The celebrations will unfold from August 14, 2025, making it a significant cultural convergence just as India gears up for its own Independence Day on August 15. The festivities will spotlight a unique photo exhibition and the much-awaited New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025—bringing communities together in the spirit of memory, creativity, and solidarity.

 

Key Highlights of the 80th Liberation Day Celebrations

 

Photo Exhibition: Korea, In the Shadows of Pain, The Light of Dreams

 

Duration: August 14 – October 31, 2025

 

Venue: Basement Auditorium, Korean Cultural Centre India

 

Curated by Professor Jung Jae-Han from Yeungnam University of Technology

 

Features three celebrated photographers: Koo Wangsam, Cho Kyusun, Baek Jongha

 

New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025

 

Dates: August 14 to 16, 2025, 3:00 PM daily

 

Venue: KCCI Basement Auditorium

 

Screenings include films centered on Korea’s struggles, resilience, and journey to freedom

 

Exhibition Through the Lens of History

 

The photo exhibition titled Korea, In the Shadows of Pain, The Light of Dreams, curated in collaboration with the Daegu Photography Culture Research Institute and the Yeungnam University Contemporary Photography and Film Society, offers a rare opportunity to experience Korean history through artistic eyes. The display includes:

 

Historic images capturing the post-liberation period by Koo Wangsam, a pioneer of modern Korean photography.

 

The lyricism of rural Korea by Baek Jongha, emphasizing rain, clouds, trees, and the poetic landscape.

 

Cho Kyusun’s iconic ‘Dancing Egret’ series, representing the dynamic changes and tensions of modernizing Korea.

 

A standout feature is an interactive floor map of the Korean Peninsula. Visitors can walk across the map, encountering Polaroid photographs taken by foreign journalists immediately after Korea’s liberation in 1945. This installation invites guests to revisit historic moments—region by region—and gain a multi-sensory understanding of the era.

 

Programme Details – Marking History with Cinema

 

The New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025 brings together powerful films that reflect Korea’s turbulent journey to freedom and nationhood. Each screening tells a story of hope, sacrifice, and enduring spirit.

 

August 14: Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016)

A biographical drama about Yun Dong Ju, who used poetry as a quiet yet profound form of resistance during colonial times. As an added highlight, actress Moon Choi will join an online Cine Talk session at 5:30 PM, sharing insights on the film and its themes.

 

August 15: Assassination (2015)

An exciting action film portraying an armed independence movement’s covert mission, offering glimpses into the high-stakes struggles faced by those seeking liberation.

 

August 16: Dark Nuns (2025)

A recent occult drama exploring faith, the supernatural, and the psychological aftermath of conflict.

 

Engagement and Interactive Activities

 

Adding to the festive atmosphere, KCCI has arranged a flag face-painting activity, where visitors can have the national flags of Korea and India painted on their faces, honoring the deep ties and shared journeys toward independence experienced by both nations.

 

Voices from the Centre

 

Hwang Il Yong, Director of KCCI, notes the event’s relevance for Indian youth—many of whom have discovered Korean culture through pop phenomena. He highlights that the authenticity and emotion within Korean cinema and art foster a valuable platform for cross-cultural dialogue and remembrance.

 

Conclusion: Bridging Histories, Inspiring Futures

 

The Korean Cultural Centre India’s Liberation Day program not only commemorates a pivotal moment in Korean history but also resonates with the Indian context, offering a profound space for dialogue, reflection, and artistic appreciation. Through film, photography, and interactive installations, the event creates lasting connections between the heritage of two vibrant nations.

 

Sources: The Tribune, Korea.net, KCCI India, Instagram