Bacolod City Councilor Em Ang recently attended the 9th International Mask Art and Culture Conference held in Andong City, South Korea, from November 1 to 2.
The event gathered experts, artists, and cultural enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the rich heritage of mask-making and its significance in diverse cultures.
Ang was invited to participate in the conference, which featured exhibitions, performances, workshops, and lectures showcasing traditional and contemporary mask art. The conference provided a unique platform for cultural exchange, fostering global understanding and appreciation of mask culture.
“I am honored to have represented Bacolod City at this prestigious event,” said Ang. “The experience was enlightening, and I gained valuable insights into the importance of preserving cultural heritage. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with our local community and exploring ways to promote our own Masskara Festival mask-making traditions.”
During the conference, Ang had the opportunity to engage with international delegates, learn about innovative approaches to mask art, and discover new techniques and materials. The councilor also shared Bacolod’s own mask-making traditions and cultural practices, highlighting Bacolod’s famous MassKara Festival.
The 9th International Mask Art and Culture Conference was organized by the International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (IMACO), a UNESCO-accredited NGO in the Intangible Cultural Heritage field and supported by the Korean government. Ang’s participation was made possible through IMACO.
This conference is the 9th IMACO International Conference, following the previous biannual conferences in 2006 Inaugural Assembly in Andong, Korea, 2009 conference with Ministry of Culture, Bangkok, Thailand, 2011 conference with State of Bali and local government of Singaraja, Indonesia, 2013 conference with Ministry of Home and Culture, Thimphu, Bhutan, 2015 conference with Shanghai Academy of Social Science, Shanghai, China, 2017 conference with Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 2019 conference with the City of Bacolod, Philippines, and 2022 conference in Andong, Korea.*
