About this Event
Experience a special live performance by pianist Benjamin Choi, setting the tone for an afternoon of reflection and peace.
This year marks the 77th anniversary of the Jeju 4.3 Incident—a tragedy of silenced voices, unjust deaths, and enduring memory.
Jeju Island, located just off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, is known today as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for its breathtaking volcanic landscapes and rich biodiversity. But beneath its natural beauty lies a painful chapter of modern history.
In the years following World War II, Jeju became the site of a brutal government crackdown. Between 1947 and 1954, tens of thousands of civilians—many of them women, children, and farmers—were killed during what came to be known as the Jeju 4.3 Incident. It was one of the first large-scale civilian massacres in postwar Asia and marked the beginning of Cold War tensions in Northeast Asia.
Though long suppressed, the memory of Jeju 4.3 has lived on—through testimonies, literature, art, and the quiet strength of survivors and their descendants. The camellia flower (동백꽃), which falls whole without scattering its petals, has become a haunting symbol of the lives lost—cut short, yet never forgotten.
In this meditative workshop, we invite you to join a ritual of remembrance and healing through Jigyo-seon (지교선) meditation, danjeon breathing (단전호흡), and the mindful practice of folding origami. Rooted in Korean and East Asian traditions, danjeon breathing grounds us in the body’s energy center (丹田), fostering presence, balance, and gentle awareness.
This year, we fold the camellia—the flower of Jeju 4.3.
Each fold becomes an act of remembrance.
Each breath, a tribute.
Each moment, a quiet resistance against forgetting.
This experience is further enriched by Han Kang’s novel We Do Not Part (작별하지 않는다), which brings the spirit of Jeju 4.3 into global consciousness. In 2024, Han was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her profound storytelling and dedication to historical truth. Her work reminds us: while systems may try to erase the past, art, memory, and collective witness endure.
We gather not only to remember, but to affirm peace, resilience, and the possibility of healing. The workshop will be accompanied by live piano music, offering a contemplative space where history, meditation, and creativity come together.
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Location: Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village Library
Audience: Open to the public (ages 13 and up)
Ticket: Free admission (RSVP required)
Materials: Basic supplies provided
Space is limited. RSVP is required to attend. If you are unable to join us after reserving a spot, please cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance so we may offer the space to others.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Public Library of Brookline -- Brookline Village Library, 361 Washington Street, Brookline, United States
USD 0.00
