Do we become master calligraphers after drinking makgeolli? The Drunken Calligrapher Contest, which reminds us of the movie “Painted Fire (Chihwaseon)”, was held at “JARASUM MAKGEOLLI FESTIVAL 2015” on Thursday Oct. 29.

Master calligraphers selected by the Korea Calligraphy Association drank as much makgeolli as they wanted and started to write their thoughts via calligraphy.

Included was calligraphic work that is related to the posthumous name of Han Seok-bong, who was a governor of the Gapyeong area and a master calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty. There were phrases that showed the ancestors’ taste for makgeolli, meaning that the most beautiful liquor of all liquors is Gapyeong makgeolli. Thirty phrases in unique calligraphy were presented.

The contest’s highlight was a large piece of work that 30 calligraphers worked together on. They expressed JARASUM MAKGEOLLI FESTIVAL with their calligraphy on 30m-long hanji. This artwork, which celebrates the first JARASUM MAKGEOLLI FESTIVAL, was displayed during the festival.

Master calligrapher Go Beom-do, who participated in the event, said: “Writing given phrases can be hard and awkward, but writing when we are drunk allows us to instantaneously express our inner selves. Like makgeolli, we can write liberal and flexible phrases.”

“JARASUM MAKGEOLLI FESTIVAL 2015” has been prepared to promote makgeolli, a representative Korean liquor, to the world and create a healthy and valuable liquor culture. More than 200 types of makgeolli will be introduced at the event.

Organized by the Korean Makgeolli Association to globalize makgeolli, JARASUM MAKGEOLLI FESTIVAL 2015 will be the focus of vivid reporting by the global news media Aving TV and the official Makgeolli festival Facebook page.

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