|
Seoul the capital and the largest city of South Korea is home to over ten million
people. Seoul is the country's political, cultural and economic hub. Korea is
a cosmopolitan country and its multiculturalism is showcased in the diverse festivals
celebrated here. The religion which is most widely practiced is Buddhism. Some
of the festivals celebrated in Korea are:
The Lunar New Year Festival in Seoul is the celebration of family ties. People
return to their hometowns during this 3-day long celebration to stay with the
elders and visit relatives during the Lunar New Year. They buy gifts for their
loved ones. They usually stay with the head of the family (generally the eldest
male). The children and the grandchildren show their respect by performing saebae.
This is the ritual of bowing and paying respect to one's elders. Everyone cleanses
themselves early in the morning and puts on their best traditional Korean clothes
or hanbok. Thereafter the entire family performs ch'arye- a ceremony to commemorate
the ancestors. Next up they walk down to the ancestral gravesite for a picnic.
Food and alcohol is placed around the graves as offering to the ancestral spirits.
The Lotus Lantern Festival is the celebration of the birth anniversary of Buddha.
This festival is a single day celebration. People make wishes as a part of the
ritual and hang lotus-shaped-lanterns. Apart from the lantern exhibition the
Lotus Lantern Festival features many Buddhist events as well as traditional
folk events all day long. Programs are lined up one after the other that you
can be a part of or simply enjoy from outside. Lessons are also imparted on
how to make lanterns. Printing and engraving traditional Korean patterns, face
painting, studying and practicing Zen meditation are some of the common activities
at the Lotus Lantern Festival.
Jongmyo Daeje is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. People pay homage to
their ancestors with offerings of food, wine, music and dance. Jongmyo Daeje
is a royal ancestral rite that takes place annually at Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno,
Seoul. The Jongmyo Daeje is considered the most important ceremony of Joseon
Dynasty. Previously it was held 5 times a year until the Japanese colonial government
terminated it. After being reinstated in 1971 the event has since been held
once a year. In the year 1995 the event got recognition from UNESCO as one of
the world cultural heritage.
|
