Update: sadly, this event is now cancelled. The below text is taken from the official announcement on the British Museum website:
The Trustees and staff of the British Museum are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
Our thoughts are with the Royal Family. We have been honoured by, and fondly remember, Her Majesty’s steadfast support for the Museum throughout her reign.
The Museum will honour the Queen’s memory by flying the flag at half-mast, observing a one-minute silence at the appropriate moment, and senior staff will wear black ties and arm bands during the period of mourning. A book of condolence has been placed in the Great Court for visitors to sign, should they wish.
Museum-hosted events will be cancelled during the period of mourning and the Museum will be closed on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral.
*** Cancelled *** Celebrate Chuseok at the British Museum *** Cancelled ***
Bring your family and friends to join us at this festival of thanksgiving. Activities will be held throughout the Museum and are suitable for visitors of all ages, unless stated otherwise. All activities are free, just drop in. The full programme will be announced soon.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
This event is free to drop in to at any time, but you’re advised to book a free timed ticket to enter the Museum grounds.
Performance: traditional and contemporary Korean music
공연: 한국의 전통과 현대 음악
12.00–12.30, 14.00–14.30 and 15.00–15.30 | Great Court
Enjoy traditional and contemporary music from Korea, curated by musician and composer Hyelim Kim and performed by the Shilla Ensemble. The programme is inspired by the traditional colours of Korea. The performances include a range of pieces on the daegeum (flute), piri (oboe), gayageum (zither) and janggu (drum) and also features traditional dance.
Drop-in: make a Sogo drum
소고 만들기
11.00–16.00 | Great Court (south-east corner)
Make a traditional Korean sogo (drum) with artist Julia Deering.
Drop-in, limited spaces. Suitable for ages 5+
Drop in: paper installation
종이 공예 설치
11.00–16.00 | Great Court (south-west corner)
Come along and create a paper installation with Yvette Ja inspired by Bojagi wrapping cloths and Korea’s tradition of kite-making. Get inspired by the colours of Korea, the kite-making tradition and add your work to our display.
Drop-in, limited spaces. Suitable for ages 5+
Pop-up gallery talks
큐레이터와 함께하는 한국실 투어
11.30 (English), 13.00 (Korean) and 15.00 (English) | Room 67
Join Sang-ah Kim, Curator for the Korean collection, for a pop-up gallery talk exploring the current gallery display Conservation in action.
Food
음식
Complement your Chuseok celebrations with Korean-themed food and drink, available to buy throughout the event in the Great Court Cafés. The menu includes Korean tofu bibimbap sandwich, Korean-Style chicken cucumber sandwich with gochujang mayo and green matcha powder and white chocolate brownies. Food supplied by Benugo.
Related gallery: Korea (Room 67), The Korea Foundation Gallery
한국실 (67 전시실)
This refurbished gallery offers the chance to discover the Korean peninsula’s art, history and culture, through the British Museum’s important objects and loans from partner institutions, including the National Museum of Korea. The gallery was created in 2000 thanks to the generosity of the Korea Foundation and was refurbished in 2014 with a grant from the National Museum of Korea.
Audio app: Korea
오디오 앱
Listen to the popular gallery introductions, including The Korea Foundation Gallery, on our new Audio app, available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Listen on your smartphone – and remember to bring your headphones!
Collections online: Korea
소장품 검색
Explore the British Museum’s Korean collection online:
britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/korea
Online events: YouTube
온라인 이벤트: 유튜브
Explore our YouTube channel ‘Celebrating Korea’
About Chuseok
한국의 명절, 추석
Together with the Lunar New Year, Chuseok is the most celebrated festival in Korea. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which boasts the brightest and fullest moon of the year. This festival marks the start of harvesting season for fruits and grains.
Chuseok is a time when families gather, wear new hanboks (traditional clothes), and perform various ancestral rites to offer prayers and thanks for a bountiful crop. Families share food and drinks made with produce from the first harvest, and enjoy special games and music.
I think this event has now been cancelled because of the national mourning period
Thanks for the warning. Will update as and when we hear anything official.
Yes, you were right. Thanks for the heads up.