The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a series of events under the theme "Cheong Wa Dae: Brave Seollal" from Feb. 9-11 at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae. (Korea.net DB)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Feb. 5 said that jointly with the Cheong Wa Dae Foundation, it will host events from Feb. 9-11 under the theme "Cheong Wa Dae: Brave Seollal." The name is a pun using yonggam, the Korean word for "brave," with yong meaning "dragon."

Experts from a variety of fields will lecture on the compound's history, culture and nature in the series "Cheong Wa Dae: Brave Stories." The talks are scheduled daily from 2 p.m. on the second floor of the former media center Chunchugwan.

Kyonggi University professor Ahn Chang-mo on Feb. 9 will give a lecture on Cheong Wa Dae's architecture, while Korean history lecturer Choi Tae-sung will give a presentation on the compound's history on Feb. 10.

Park Sang-jin, an honorary professor at Kyungpook National University, on Feb. 11 will speak on trees at Cheong Wa Dae and explain the cultural symbols and significance of the complex, which marks the second anniversary of its opening this year.

Over the same period, an hourlong tea ceremony under the theme "Sharing Brave Wishes" will be held twice daily from Feb. 9-11 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the first floor of Chunchugwan. Participants will learn the nation's traditional tea culture and give Lunar New Year's wishes.

The ministry and the foundation each day from Feb. 9-12 will distribute free desk calendars containing photos of leading venues at Cheong Wa Dae on a first-come, first-served basis to 400 people. 

Visitors born in the Year of the Dragon can receive a calendar if they present identification at the information desk of the garden Daejeongwon. This promotion is limited to 100 recipients per day while supplies last.

Both domestic and foreign visitors are welcome to attend the Seollal events, while children must be accompanied by a guardian. Click the official website of Cheong Wa Dae's opening (https://xn--h49ar4kbriepk85h.kr) to book a visit.

hrhr@korea.kr