UNESCO-Accredited NGO

Contents

04 - 05 06 - 07 14 - 15 20 - 35 38 - 41
GREETINGS ABOUT IMACO HISTORY KEY ACTIVITIES CULTURE & ART ACTIVITIES

＞ President of International Mask Arts ＞ International Conferences 20 ＞ IMACO Culture & Art Academy 38
and Culture Organization (IMACO) ＞ UNESCO Activities 24 ＞ Cooperation of national events 39

＞ Secretary General of International Mask Arts
and Culture Organization (IMACO)
08 - 09 16 - 17 ＞ Academic research and ＞ Cultural Exchange between Youngnam
international symposiums 28 and Honam Regions (Andong-Jeonju) 40
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES STATUS
＞ World mask & culture exhibitions 30
＞ International exchange 32

10 - 13 42 - 45
ESTABLISHMENT BACKGROUND WORLD MASK ARCHIVE PROJECT

Greetings
President of International Mask Arts & Culture Organization (IMACO)
Mayor of Andong City
KWEON, Young-Sae
Mask is a cultural achievement that all humankind has possessed. It is a pleasant
experience to meet masks that spread all over the world. Its universality that
we can meet anywhere in the world has a duty to tie world together. Mask is
the universal cultural tool and a collective of the symbols that humankind has
cultivated.
Therefore, you can understand local culture through masks and you will be equal
if you wear a mask. We found that we needed a new start to attract cultural
capabilities and interests of people of the world based on the equality. These
thoughts made us found International Mask Arts & Culture Organization (IMACO)
It is an essential IMACO’s task to collect and study world masks and their symbol
data combined with each cultural area and locals, life community, and personal
preference.
IMACO has established world network and created cultural contents through
collecting and studying various world masks data.
We are not only collecting and studying old data, but trying to be a creative
organization that can lead cultural contents in the future.
Direction IMACO should pursue is to find specific ways to enjoy and inherit mask
and its culture containing world culture with people of the world.
IMACO expects the bright future when those who love mask and symbol culture
join IMACO together.
Thank you
International Mask Arts & Culture Organization
04
05
Secretary General of International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (IMACO)
YOON, Byung-Jin
History of mask is history of humankind. Mask has existed with human history
from the beginning. Mask has been passed down all over the world. Mask is also
a cultural achievement, cultural similarity, and dream of humankind. In other words,
mask is a DNA of human culture and a cultural tool presenting cultural differences
that UNESCO has pursued.
There is nowhere that mask doesn’t exist and has same masks. Mask contains
various historical traditions in common human’s life. Mask and Mask Culture
have existed all over the world. However, only IMACO is accredited by UNESCO
in field of mask. Since its establishment, IMACO has held multiple international
conferences regularly to make World Mask & Symbol Map related to mask symbol
that shows human cultural DNA, and contributed to collect world masks which are
a cultural symbol human has accumulated.
In addition, IMACO has held numerous international symposiums because
protecting masks is to admit cultural diversity that is a cultural symbol through
masks. IMACO aims to protect disappearing mask culture through collecting and
archiving masks and mask culture. IMACO is going to establish international
network among mask maker, actor, museum, researcher, festival, and related
government, and cooperate with UNESCO to prosper culture and to contribute to
peace for humankind and value of human life culturally.
IMACO will be a part of UNESCO’s itinerary aiming to improve of the quality of life
through culture and promise to do our best for globalization of Intangible Cultural
Heritage as an accredited NGO by UNESCO.
Thank you
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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About IMACO 07

General Assembly
International Mask Arts (Governing Board)
& Culture Organization
was established in 2006 at
A n d o n g , Ko r e a u n d e r t h e President
agreement of 24 countries,
International Board of Directors
40 organizations related with
mask. IMACO aims to develop Asia, Europe,
Africa, America
international network with mask
related artists and organizations, Secretariat
(Secretary General)
and protect local mask culture
and arts through the archive Office Work Administrator
project.
International Center
Intangible Heritage Research Institution
IMACO has respected the value Archive Center
that UNESCO has pursued and International Mask Arts and Culture Center

has built network among mask

related organization, museum,
Cultural Contents Team International Cooperation Team
researcher, and mask maker.
Currently, 63 countries, 182 Exhibition plan International exchange and cooperation project
Archive project UNESCO ICH NGO work
organizations are registered as
General administration International networking
the members of IMACO, and
IMACO is performing its mission
enthusiastically.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Objectives and Activities 09

I •Collecting Information on mask data

•Research and safeguarding activities on mask cultures

Aim the
‘value of cultural diversity’ M •Develop network and enhance cooperation with mask related
organizations
•Secure mask culture resources and support cultural activities
declared by UNESCO

A •International cooperation for globalization of mask cultures

•UNESCO-accredited NGO activities

Research Planning and Building and Completion

C •Operate International Center
•Operate International mask arts and culture exhibition
Korean·International holding public expanding Cooperative of world
masks and symbolic events, such as networks, Propagating mask map
culture data performances, International mask O •Operate Intangible Heritage Research Institution to preserve, inherit,
and develop intangible cultural heritage
exhibitions culture

Establishment Background
Andong is the home of the Confucian
culture and has the most cultural
assets in the country. Especially,
Hahoe Village, which has been
preserved for hundreds of years, has
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
International Mask Arts & Culture Organization
10
11
Hahoe Mask Dance Drama (National
Intangible Cultural Property No. 69),
which has been passed down over
800 years and Hahoe Mask (National
Treasure No. 121) become the icons
of Korean culture.

Establishment Background
Andong Maskdance Festival has shared mask contents which are
universal culture and changed them into the festival and has re-created
Hahoe Mask Dance Drama, performed for peace of Hahoe Village 800
years ago, to Andong Maskdance Festival, presenting dreams and hopes
of people around the world. Since its first held in 1997, it has grown
into the best festival in Korea for 8 years, the first Korean representative
festival, and the first global festival in Korea with its reputation.
International Mask Arts & Culture Organization
12
13
Mask is a universal culture of the world and a cultural tool that shows
characteristics of each culture, various forms, and functions of mask exist
in each culture. Therefore, there is nowhere that mask does not exist.
Masks combined with each cultural area and locals, life community, and
personal preference eventually show cultural diversity that UNESCO has
pursued. In addition, archiving these masks and related data contributes
to peace of humankind. IMACO was established to collect and study
masks and mask related data that human has accumulated, and make
the future creative.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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History 15

2006. 09 2011. 11 2015. 11 2017. 11

IMACO Inaugural General Meeting 3rd IMACO international conference 5th IMACO international conference 6th IMACO international
with 40 member organizations & Symposium in Bali, Indonesia & Symposium in Shanghai, China conference & Symposium
from 24 countries 200 participants from 27 countries 220 participants from 22 countries in Vientiane, Lao PDR

2009. 11 2013. 11 2014. 06

2nd IMACO international conference & 4th IMACO international conference Accredited as an Advisory NGO to the
Symposium in Bangkok, Thailand & Symposium in Thimphu, Bhutan Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO
150 participants from 35 countries 110 participants from 7 countries (UNESCO Headquarters, France)
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Status 17

International Mask Arts & Culture Organization (IMACO) understands the underlying
meaning of masks, and creates the foundation of mask culture projects through
research, safeguard, and accumulation of data. The members of IMACO consist
of the group and individual who contribute to mask arts and culture such as local
communities, mask artists, mask research groups, performers, museums, and so on.
Since its foundation in 2006, with the consent of 24 countries, its headquarters is
located in Andong, Korea. Currently, 182 individuals and organizations from 63
countries are registered.

IMACO headquarters
Asia
(24 coun Andong, Republic of Korea
tries)
Europe (182 organizations from 63 countries)
(15 coun
tries)

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei,

Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, America
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Malaysia, (10 coun
Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, tries)
Russia, the Slovak Republic, Philippines, Saudi Arabia,
Spain, Turkey, Yakutia Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Africa
(12 coun Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia,
tries)
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Oceania
Mexico, Peru, U.S.A.
(2 count
ries)
Burkina Faso, Gabon,
Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali,
Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra
Lion, Sudan, Zambia

Australia,
New Zealand
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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IMACO 19

To pursue the “value of cultural diversity”,

which is aligned with the aims of UNESCO,
IMACO secures the value of world masks
and its cultural arts.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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21

Key Activities

International Conferences
IMACO holds international conference
and symposium biennially to interact
with cultural artists and organizations
related to masks in each country for
inheritance and development of mask
culture and arts.

IMACO INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
BANGKOK 2009
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 23

International Conferences
2011 IMACO international conference & Symposium in Indonesia

2006 IMACO Inaugural General Meeting

· 2011. 11. 30(Wed) ~ 12. 02(Fri)

· Bali, Indonesia
· 200 participants from 27 countries

2013 IMACO international conference & Symposium in Bhutan

· 2013. 11. 11(Mon) ~ 11.14(Thu)

·2006. 09. 29(Fri) / Korean Studies Advancement Center · Thimphu, Bhutan
·40 member organizations from 24 countries · 110 participants from 7 countries

2009 IMACO international conference & Symposium in Thailand 2015 IMACO international conference & Symposium in China

IMACO INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
BANGKOK 2009

· 2009. 11. 12(Thu) ~ 11.14(Sat) · 2015. 11. 05(Thu) ~ 11. 08(Sun)

· Bangkok, Thailand · Shanghai, China
· 150 participants from 35 countries · 220 participants from 22 countries
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 25

UNESCO Activities

Accreditation of Non-Governmental Organizations to provide advisory

services to the Committee
●
The eighth session of the Intergovernmental Committee (8.COM)
- Baku, Azerbaijan / 2nd to 7th December 2013
- Accreditation recommended by the Committee
●
The fifth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties (5.GA)
- UNESCO Headquarters, France / 2nd to 4th June 2014
- Accredited by the General Assembly to provide advisory services to the Committee

Participated in Intergovernmental Committee / General Assembly /

ICHNGO forum
●
Nov 2015: The tenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee (Windhoek, Namibia)
Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO forum & Symposium (Windhoek, Namibia)
●
June 2016: The sixth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties
(UNESCO Headquarters, France)
Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO forum (UNESCO Headquarters, France)
●
Nov 2016: The eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO forum & Symposium (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
●
Dec 2017: The twelfth session of the Intergovernmental Committee (Jeju Island, Republic of Korea)
Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO forum & Symposium (Jeju Island, Republic of Korea)
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 27

UNESCO Activities

Activities of UNESCO-Accredited NGOs in Korea

29th~30th March 2016: The first Network Building Information Meeting for UNESCO-Accredited
● 

NGOs (Andong, Republic of Korea)

- Theme: Promoting International Cooperation by UNESCO-Accredited NGOs in Korea
●
3rd~5th November 2016: 2016 Asia-Pacific ICH NGO Conference (Jeonju, Republic of Korea)
- Theme: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
4th November 2016 : The second Network Building Information Meeting for UNESCO-Accredited
● 

NGOs (Jeonju, Republic of Korea)

- Theme: Establishment of Korean UNESCO NGO Associations and pursuing international activities
22nd November 2016 : Analysis of the agenda for the eleventh session of the Intergovernmental
● 

Committee (Jeonju, Republic of Korea)

9th December 2016 : R esult Seminar of the agenda for the eleventh session of the
● 

Intergovernmental Committee (Jeonju, Republic of Korea)

Activities of UNESCO Accredited NGO Association (UANA)

●
Name: UNESCO Accredited NGO Association(UANA)
●
Establishment date: 9th February 2017
Purpose: Development of UNESCO 2003 Convention spirit, and Promotion of safeguarding
● 

intangible cultural heritage

Strengthen Korean UNESCO ICH NGOs activities and cooperation
Member: 4 UNESCO-accredited NGOs in Korea (Feb, 2017)
●

- Center for Intangible Culture Studies(CICS), Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network
(ICCN), International Mask Arts & Culture Organization(IMACO), World Martial Arts Union(WoMAU)
8th~9th February 2017: The first UNESCO Accredited NGO Association Workshop
● 

(Andong, Republic of Korea)

- Theme: Internationalization of the intangible cultural heritage policy and the role of NGOs
●
11th April 2017: P olicy Forum to celebrate the hosting of the twelfth session of the
Intergovernmental Committee(National Assembly, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
- Theme: Globalization of intangible cultural heritage and role of NGOs
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 29

Academic research and international symposiums

● Hold annual symposiums since its establishment World mask & Culture international Symposium II Intangible Cultural Heritage and development of local
(Sep 29th 2008) communities symposium (Oct 10th 2012)
● Collect academic material and research (linked with the archive project)

● 
Contribute to globalization of cultural policy and mask culture through
in-depth topics

Intangible Cultural Heritage preservation and inheritance international symposium (Sep 30th 2006) Korea & China Cultural Exchange Forum (Oct 3rd~Nov 2nd 2016) Intangible Cultural Heritage preservation and inheritance
● 

international symposium (2006. 09. 30)

The 42nd Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture
● 

and Information (2007. 06. 08~09)

World mask & culture international symposium I
● 

(2007. 09. 29)

World mask & culture international symposium II
●

(2008. 09. 29)

World mask & culture international symposium III
●

(2009. 11. 12~13)

International symposium speech in Turkmenistan
●

(2010. 04. 21~23)

World mask & culture international symposium IV
● 

(2010. 09. 29)

Korea & China Cultural Exchange Forum (2010. 09. 30)
●

Safeguarding ICH and Community Development

● 

World mask and culture international symposium in : Issues and Tasks (2011. 02. 14)
Shanghai, China (Nov 5th~8th 2015)
Korea & China Cultural Exchange Forum (2011. 10. 05)
●

World mask & culture international symposium V

●

(2011. 12. 01~02)

Intangible heritage and community development Symposium
● 

(2012. 10. 08)

IMACO International Symposium (2013. 05. 10)
●

World mask & culture international symposium Ⅵ

● 

(2013. 11. 11~14)

World mask & culture international symposium ⅥI
● 

(2015. 11. 05~08)

IMACO International Symposium (2016. 09. 30~10. 02)
●

Korea & China Cultural Exchange Forum

●

(2016. 09. 30~10. 02)

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Key Activities 31

World mask & culture exhibitions

● Hold annual exhibitions since its establishment

● O
 ver 30 exhibitions in Korea, over 15 international exhibitions
(collecting activity)
● propagate the value of mask culture through exhibitions

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2007

(2007. 09. 28~10. 07)
● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2008

(2008. 9. 26~10. 05)

● IMACO international exhibition in Thailand 2009 (2009. 11. 12)

● Exhibition in Turkmenistan (2010. 04. 21)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2010

(2010. 09. 24~10. 03)

● Hi Seoul Festival mask exhibition (2011. 05. 05~05. 10)

● World Traditional Culture Exhibition at Gyeongju World Culture Expo

(2011. 08. 12~2011. 10. 10)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2011

(2011. 09. 30~2011. 10. 09)

● Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Museum mask exhibition (2011. 10. 15)

● IMACO international exhibition in Indonesia 2011 (2011. 11. 30)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition and Experience at Gyeonggi Arts Center, Korea 2017

(2012. 07. 12~2012. 08. 29)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival

(2012. 09. 28~2012. 10. 06)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition and Experience at Gangdong Art Center, Korea

(2012. 12. 21)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2013

(2013. 09. 27~10. 06)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition and Experience at Eumseong Art Center, Korea

(2013. 10. 11~10. 27)

● IMACO international exhibition in Bhutan 2013 (2013. 11. 11)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2014

(2014. 09. 26~2014. 10. 05)

● World Mask & Culture Exhibition at Andong Maskdance Festival 2015

(2015. 09. 25~2015. 10. 04)

● World mask exhibition in China Shanghai 2015 (2015. 11. 07~2015. 11. 17)

● Tour mask exhibition in China Kunshan, Fuzhou , Xiamen, Hangzhou, Shanghai

(2015. 11. 07~2016. 04. 18)

● IMACO 10th anniversary exhibition: trace (2016. 09. 30~10. 06)

● The sound of Honam and the dance of Yeongnam meet to inherit the shining tradition

(2016. 11. 01~11. 11)

 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 33

International exchange

● Establish network system with institutions and cultural organizations around the world
● 
Contribute to the promotion of friendship between countries through the creation
of an exchange base
● Pursue the value of cultural diversity through multi-national cultural exchange

● Inter-city cultural exchange_Dansai, Thailand & Solo, Indonesia (2007. 09. 29）
● Inter-city cultural exchange_Bacolod, Philippines & Singaraja, Indonesia (2008. 09. 29）
● 2009 IMACO International Conference in Thailand_Ministry of Culture, Thailand (2009. 06. 18）
● 2011 IMACO International Conference in Indonesia_Singaraja (2009. 11. 13）
● 2011 IMACO International Conference co-host_Ministry of Culture, Indonesia (2010. 05. 10）
● MOU for the activation of mask culture_Hahoe Mask Museum (2010. 05. 27）
● A joint study about Mask related material and Cultural exchange_Asia Iberoamericana (2011. 05. 09）
● Ethnic arts exchange and cooperation of friendship_Baoshan International Folk Art Museum (2011. 10. 15）
● Selection for the next 2013 IMACO International Conference venue
_Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan (2011. 12. 02)
● MOU for the protection and promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage_International Information and Networking Centre
for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (2012. 10. 07）
● 2013 IMACO International Conference co-host_Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan (2013. 09. 10)
● Selection for the next 2015 IMACO International Conference venue_Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (2013. 11. 12)
● MOU for cultural exchange and promotion_Thimphu, Bhutan （2013. 11. 13）
● 2015 IMACO International Conference co-host_Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (2014. 09. 27）
● 2017 IMACO International Conference co-host_Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR (2015. 11. 07）
● MOU for contributing to the development and promotion of human culture and international network sharing
_National Base for International Cultural Exchange and Research (2015. 11. 07）
● MOU_China Yantai Zhifuqu, Cultural Media Publishing Bureau (2016. 04. 20）
● MOU_China Yantai Creative Industry Park (2016. 05. 25）
● MOU for mask culture exchange and cooperation_The Mask Makers Museum, Paris, France (2016. 05. 30)
● MOU for mask culture exchange and cooperation_Internaional Carnival and Mask Museum, Binche, Belgium (2016. 06. 02)
● MOU for Intangible Cultural Heritage related exchange and cooperation
_World Horseback Archery Federation (2016. 06. 30)
● MOU_Jeonju Cultural Foundation (2016. 11. 03)
● MOU for Cultural Exchange_KOLAO Group, Vientiane, Lao PDR (2016. 11. 11)
● MOU_Sichuan Opera Troupe (2016. 12. 08)
● MOU_ The Korean Federation of Mask Dance Associations (2016. 12. 20）
● MOU_China Liaoning Chinese-Korean Culture Art Center (2017. 01. 20)
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Key Activities 35

International exchange
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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MASK is
37

a universal culture, acts as a cultural tool in each culture,

reflects the character of culture in various styles,
and shapes and functions.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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Culture & Art Activities 39

IMACO Culture & Art Academy Cooperation of national events

Cooperation in holding Olympics and Paralympics Winter

Games PyeongChang 2018 successfully
●
build cooperation system to promote the national brand power
●
promote mask culture at Olympics and Paralympics Winter
Games PyeongChang 2018
●
set foundation to stimulate tourism industry through cultural
promotion

MOU with The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the

2018 Olympic
& Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) (2017. 04. 17)
Contribute to hold Cultural Olympic that The PyeongChang
Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic
& Paralympic Winter Games aims
●
Hold outstanding cultural performances and exhibitions for
Culture Olympic
●
Cooperation in promoting Olympics and Paralympics Winter
Games PyeongChang 2018
●
Application of Cultural Olympic related information
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Culture & Art Activities 41

Cultural Exchange between Youngnam and Honam Regions (Andong-Jeonju)

IMACO secures the self-supporting of local

culture through exchange and collaboration
of abundant traditional resources in
Youngnam and Honam Regions. In
addition, IMACO promotes the development
of local culture and arts through
revitalization of traditional culture and arts
and education of future generations.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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World Mask Archive Project 43

Mask is a universal culture of humankind, and is an excellent cultural resource that contains the
characteristics of each nation. In order to raise the status as an international organization and to promote Korea Mask Map
and systematize mask culture and arts, IMACO is making constant efforts to operate an archiving system
that systematically classifies, collects, and utilizes the cultural resources scattered all over the world.
 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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World Mask Archive Project 45

World Mask Map

 International Mask Arts & Culture Organization

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47

MASK
is a valuable
cultural heritage
that symbolizes
community’s characteristics, and reflects
its own unique culture and history. There’
s nowhere in the world where mask does
not exist, nor does it have the same shape.
International Mask Arts & Culture Organization
(IMACO) focuses on the value of freedom,
peace, and equality that implicit in masks,
strives to understand human beings, and make
the human future brighter through masks.
 IMACO Objectives for 2017

1. Host 2017 IMACO International Conference in Vientiane,

Lao PDR
1. Perform World Mask Archive project
2. Complete IMACO Persona Cafe
3. D evelop a close cooperation system with UNESCO
accredited NGOs
4. Promote a project to build World Mask Exhibition Center
5. List Korean Mask Dance on UNESCO Representative List
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
6. Appoint International Directors and manage International
´
Members
7. Host UNESCO-accredited NGO workshop in Andong
8. Globalize Andong Culture through various performances
and promotions
9. Host The 2nd IMACO·Korea·China·Japan International
symposium
10. Participate in Ho Chi Minh City–Gyeongju World Culture
Expo 2017
11. Introduce Andong Culture by participating in Olympic
Winter Games PyeongChang 2018
12. Execute MOU and promote membership with international
exchange cities and sister cities of Andong
13. Implement MCST project continuously
14. Continue closer collaboration with The Korean Federation
of Mask Dance Associations
15. S upport 2017 Andong Maskdance Festival for its
successful hosting