To commemorate the hosting of Korea’s only mountain film festival, the Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF), Reinhold Messner was invited in 2016 to share his life and philosophy through a lecture and exhibitions. His lecture drew over 300 Korean mountaineers who came to hear about his mountaineering experiences.

Messner’s lecture became a catalyst for highlighting various aspects of mountain culture. One key outcome was the establishment of the Ulsan Ulju Mountain Culture Award by UMFF, which is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to mountain culture.

Messner is a living legend in the world of mountaineering. He was the first person in history to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, and the first to conquer all 14 eight-thousanders. Since 1974, he has authored some 80 books, and since 2003, he has operated both Messner Mountain Museum (MMM) and the Messner Foundation for Himalayan Residents.