Holidays and events in South Korea 2020: the most important festivals and highlights, national holidays and events in South Korea. Photos and videos, descriptions, reviews and times.

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Residents of South Korea have great respect for the holidays and celebrate them colorfully and noisily. This country is famous all over the world for its festivals, where everyone can become a spectator and participant throughout the year, seeing with their own eyes these bright, lively and amazingly beautiful holidays of life.

Koreans celebrate the New Year twice: the usual New Year's Day according to the solar calendar is celebrated here quite quietly and modestly, with family and friends. But the New Year according to the lunar calendar can be safely called the longest and very important holiday in South Korea. For 15 days, stormy New Year's festivities and celebrations, masquerade balls and costumed parades are held throughout the country.

On New Year's Eve itself, according to the lunar calendar, it is customary to prepare a rich dinner, full of a huge number of different dishes: tradition says that on this night, not only the inhabitants of the house sit down at the table, but also the spirits of their deceased relatives.

Spring is a time of awakening of nature, so most of the spring holidays and festivals in South Korea are nature-themed. In March, the city of Gwangyang hosts the Plum Festival, when different varieties of these trees are in full bloom. In April, Jeju Island becomes the perfect place for all lovers to walk through the flower petals under these beautiful trees during the Cherry Blossom Festival, thereby blessing their family life.

Koreans celebrate Buddha's birthday in May. On this day, it is customary to visit temples and pray. Many cities become places of wild celebration, the streets are filled with colorful crowds of marching people, and houses and temples are decorated with colorful lotus-shaped lanterns.

One of the largest and most interesting festivals in Korea is the Busan Sea Festival, which takes place on the territory of all city beaches in the first half of August and annually attracts more than ten million guests from all over the world.

Summer in South Korea is replete with a wide variety of festivals. Car connoisseurs should definitely visit the Seoul Auto Show in July, where they can see the latest trends in car production. Boryeong hosts the Clay Festival in July, with a fun frenzy of mud fights.

One of the largest and most interesting festivals in Korea is the Busan Sea Festival, which takes place on the territory of all city beaches in the first half of August and annually attracts more than ten million guests from all over the world. The festival program is full of many events: concerts, exhibitions and sports competitions, plus each guest of the festival can learn to canoe or scuba dive for free. The opening ceremony of the festival deserves no less attention: it gathers all the famous Korean performers, and at the end, fireworks are launched on the beach.

The national art of cooking is another important part of the country's culture. In October, the city of Namdo hosts the most delicious Korean festival: the Big Food Festival, during which the most famous chefs from the Jeolla province prepare amazingly delicious and no less beautiful traditional dishes of South Korea. Culinary masters at work are a beautiful and inspiring sight, and trying their national dishes is an incomparable pleasure for any gourmet.

A unique event in the cultural life of South Korea is the Seoul International Fireworks Festival held in October, spectacular and brilliant. World-class masters in the field of pyrotechnics create an absolutely amazing atmosphere from air and light, colors and lights. Spectacular fireworks and a laser show await guests of the festival.

Holidays are loved by all people on earth, but Koreans can appreciate the holidays at their true worth. The fact is that despite the presence, at first glance, of a “sufficient” number of holidays (nine public holidays), when they fall on the weekend, they are not “transferred” to weekdays, so a good half of the holidays simply “burn out”. That is why Koreans treat each holiday with special trepidation and try to spend it beautifully, brightly and cheerfully. Korea is a country where holidays are valued and respected.

"Land of Morning Calm"- this figurative expression comes from the word "Joseon" - the name of the last Korean kingdom. "Cho" means "morning" and "sleep" means "bright".
"Bright Morning" evokes the image of the sun rising over the rice paddies and burning the haze of mist in the mountains, the image of morning peace and quiet, when you can breathe fresh air, recharge your batteries and prepare for the day's work in the ever-moving, ever-dynamic Korea.
Korea, like any country, is strongly associated with certain images.

Firstly, it is the national clothes of Handbok, which must be worn on holidays. Second, healthy food bulgogi And kimchi("fire meat" and vegetables aged in salt water with the subsequent addition of spices). Third, the Korean alphabet Hangul. There is even a holiday dedicated to the Korean alphabet.

But let's start in order.

New Year in South Korea according to the solar calendar is celebrated quite formally. Basically, everyone tries to use non-working days for meetings with friends and relatives. In addition to decorated Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, bustle around the stalls with New Year's cards and gifts, the streets are pleasing to the eye with posters that have been replaced during the holidays from "We all must work hard" to wishes "More happiness in the new year." Someone goes to the mountains, on the tops of which they meet the first dawn of the new year, someone goes to close friends and relatives.

New Year according to the lunar calendar.

New Year is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar (lunar). Festivals, celebrations dedicated to this holiday last 15 days. Often, the New Year according to the lunar calendar is called "Chinese", because its celebration spread throughout Asia, and later throughout the world, precisely from the Middle Kingdom. Moreover, in most countries that celebrate this holiday, the "Chinese" New Year is a public holiday and a joyful event for representatives of all nationalities and faiths.

New Year's dinner is the main New Year's tradition. And on the table should be as many dishes as possible. According to tradition, on a festive night, the spirits of ancestors are present at the table, who are full participants in the celebration. All subsequent days it is customary to visit relatives and friends with congratulations. Also during this period, traditional mass festivities are organized - costumed dances and masquerade street processions.

Every year on March 1, South Korea celebrates Independence Movement Day (Samiljol) to commemorate the declaration of independence from Japanese colonial rule and the official start of a passive resistance movement. In March 1919, the Declaration of Independence was published in Seoul. The declaration was signed by 33 South Korean patriots and read out in Pagoda Park (now Tapgol Park) in Seoul. A wave of demonstrations swept across Korea, which demonstrated to the whole world the desire of Koreans for sovereignty.

Arbor Day (Sikmogil) was established in connection with the Park Chung Hee government's campaign to restore Korean forests. As you know, this campaign was extremely successful. Until 2005, this day was a public holiday in the country, but even now the traditions of celebration have been preserved. On this day, many residents of South Korea take part in landscaping their areas, planting forests in the mountains. In non-leap years, Arbor Day coincides with one of the important Korean holidays - the Cold Food Festival, which in Korea is called Hansik, which literally means "cold food". In modern times, people celebrate Hansik, associating it with an invitation of warm weather that will melt the frozen ground. On the day of Hansik, from the very morning, Korean families visit the graves of their ancestors. Since the Day of Planting Trees is celebrated on the same day, the cemeteries are filled with relatives and relatives planting trees around the graves. In common years, Hansik falls on the 105th day after the winter solstice. At this time of the year, the skies become clearer and clearer, farmers go out into the fields to plant the first seeds into the ground and water the rice paddies.
It is believed that the tradition of taking cold food on this day came from China, but recently the traditions described in the Chinese legend are gradually being forgotten.

The name of the holiday in Korean sounds: "Orini nal".
This day has become a public holiday since 1923 thanks to the public educator Bang Jong-Hwan, who proposed to approve May 1 as Children's Day. Since 1946, the holiday began to be celebrated on May 5, since 1975 it has become a day off. In all cities and villages, mass entertainment events, sports competitions are held, the heroes of which, of course, are children.

Buddha's Birthday (Buddha's Birthday) is celebrated in some countries of East Asia on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. In the Republic of Korea, this holiday became an official holiday in 1975. On this day, Koreans visit Buddhist temples to pray for health and good luck in Many cities hold festive processions with colorful lotus-shaped lanterns.
Buddhist temples are also decorated with such lanterns, allowing you to admire the colorful picture for a whole month. Lanterns are hung along the streets, covering almost all free space. On Buddha's Birthday, many temples host charity dinners and tea treats, to which all visitors are invited. Buddha's birthday is also officially celebrated in Macau and Hong Kong. But in Japan, which switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated on April 8 and is neither an official nor a major holiday.

Constitution Day in South Korea is celebrated annually on July 17, the day the country's constitution was proclaimed in 1948. Officially, the Constitution Day was approved on October 1, 1948 after the introduction of the law on public holidays of the country. The first Republic of South Korea was formally established on August 18, 1948. Since 2008, Constitution Day is not a day off for workers and employees, although it is considered a holiday. On this day, no special events are held except for official celebrations in Seoul and large cities of South Korea. Also, over the years, marathon races held in different parts of the country have become traditional.
History reference.
The history of South Korea begins with the Soviet-American agreement at the end of the summer of 1945 on the division of spheres of influence on the peninsula. Under this agreement, part of Korea south of the 38th parallel came under the jurisdiction of the United States, while the northern part - under the jurisdiction of the Soviet Union. In the history of the country, periods of democratic and authoritarian governance alternated. Since its founding, South Korea has come a long way in the development of its education, economy and culture. In the 1960s, the country was one of the poorest in the region, while now it is a developed industrial state.

The autumn holiday Chuseok (Chuseok) - the day of the full moon, is probably the holiday that all the inhabitants of modern Korea are looking forward to with the greatest impatience. Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. But to be more precise, Chuseok lasts three days - the first and third days of the festival are held for gathering and on the road. The culmination of the holiday is the middle day - the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Highways are filled with endless lines of cars, and almost all institutions and shops are closed for three days. Families gather together, pay tribute to the memory of their departed relatives and visit their graves. Everyone strives to celebrate the Chuseok holiday in their native places. Bookings for planes and trains are usually made in advance a few months before the holiday. Chuseok, along with Seollal, is one of the most important holidays of the year, it is a celebration of the harvest and gratitude to the earth for its generosity. People come to their parents' houses to spend this holiday together.

Every year on October 3, South Korea celebrates one of the main public holidays - National Foundation Day in South Korea. This day is an official holiday in the country, the day when the national flag is raised. Foundation Day is one of the 5 national holidays established by the National Public Holidays Act in 1949. The holiday was established in honor of the formation of the first state of the Korean nation in 2333 BC by the legendary god-king Dangun Wanggeom. Tangun was the son of a heavenly ruler and turned into a bear-woman, allegedly, and founded the state of Ancient Joseon (Gojoseon). On the day of the festival, a simple ceremony is performed on the altar at the top of Mani Mountain on Ganghwa-do. According to legend, this altar was placed there by Tangun himself as a token of gratitude to his father and grandfather in heaven.

The Seoul International Firework Festival is a major cultural event in South Korea, which has been held every year in October since 2000, where the world's best pyrotechnics create a unique atmosphere of celebration and beauty.
Teams of fireworks specialists from different countries traditionally come together to participate in the festival. Here they demonstrate to the audience not only spectacular fireworks, but also the latest developments in the field of pyrotechnic technologies and fireworks art.
The history of fireworks (“fireworks” means “fire action”) has more than one hundred years. Many peoples from ancient times decorated their holidays with fire and light effects - initially they were large bonfires or many small lights. But the written sources of the past have preserved little information about such light spectacles of different peoples.
A fundamental revolution in the art of creating pyrotechnic fire and controlling it, of course, occurred when the wise Chinese invented gunpowder and began to widely use it not only in military affairs, but also in holding festivities. Although the exact date of invention is unknown, the Chinese used bamboo crackers to exorcise evil spirits even before the 9th century.

In Europe and Russia, the use of gunpowder for artillery was already known by the middle of the 14th century. Almost simultaneously, it began to be used for fireworks. The Italians were rightfully considered the best masters in this art in the 14-15 centuries. Luxurious and expensive fireworks were arranged, as a rule, on especially solemn occasions, such as the coronation of kings, their birthdays, and major religious holidays. Illumination at that time was gaining more and more popularity, and at the beginning of the 16th century even the first book on pyrotechnics and fireworks was published, authored by Vanocchio Beringucci. He also owns the statement: "Fireworks last no longer than a kiss from a lover, but it costs more than the maintenance of a mistress." Thus, starting from the 16th century, fireworks can be spoken of as a form of mass spectacular art. In Russia, purposefully at the state level, they began to organize fireworks under Ivan the Terrible. Then the position of “gunpowder manager” was even introduced in the Streltsy regiment, whose duties, in addition to the military, also included the manufacture and launch of fireworks. At the court of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, a special “amusing chamber” was established, which organized various entertainments, including “fiery fun”. By the end of the 17th century, many nobles showed interest in pyrotechnic entertainment. Princes F.Yu. Romodanovsky, V.V. Golitsyn, boyar P.V. Sheremetev and others were fond of burning fireworks. But the real fashion for fireworks came to Russia only with the beginning of the reign of Peter I. It should be noted that Russian pyrotechnicians already knew how to make and arrange “fire shows” no worse than their foreign colleagues. The activities of the rocket institution founded by Peter I made it possible to significantly improve the quality and variety of pyrotechnic compositions.

Gradually, fiery-light performances were improved and, in the end, they became what we now call fireworks. All over the world, love for fireworks does not cool down even for a second. A large role in their popularization is played by various festivals held in many countries. But, perhaps, one of the most grandiose events of this kind is the Seoul Fireworks Festival, an international event that anyone can see.
This important event in the world of lovers and professionals of pyrotechnics traditionally takes place in the Korean capital on Saturday evening (usually from 19 to 22 hours) on the banks of the Hangang River, in a park on Yeoido Island. Teams from around the world - Japan, China, Korea, USA, Australia, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong and others - present their fireworks to the audience. Interestingly, each team shows a show with a unique national theme. Moreover, all this enchanting fiery spectacle takes place to the music. Pyrotechnic displays are accompanied by musical works of various genres, including rock, pop music and the immortal creations of classical composers. In general, more than 50 thousand fireworks are launched throughout the festival.
The festival gives residents and guests of the city not only an unforgettable enchanting show, but during the holiday you can watch beautiful laser shows, an amazing light show, performances by artists and popular Korean pop stars. In general, there are many festivals in Korea in autumn, and since it is also harvest time, there are always many delicious treats at the festivals so that visitors can refresh themselves while having fun. The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which illuminates the autumn sky of the Korean capital with bright lights and attracts more than a million visitors every year, is undoubtedly the most spectacular and spectacular. After all, fireworks are an amazing and amazing sight. He lives for a few moments, but always remains in memory for a long time as a companion of the holiday and joyful mood.

October 9 is Hangul Proclamation Day in South Korea. The original alphabet of the Korean language is called Hangul (Hangul), and today they celebrate its creation and proclamation in the country by King Sejong the Great.
King Sejong made public the publication of a document introducing the new alphabet in 1446, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In 1926, the Hangul Society celebrated the 480th anniversary of the declaration of the Korean alphabet on the last day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which coincides with November 4 of the Gregorian calendar. In 1931, the celebration was moved to October 29 according to the Gregorian calendar. In 1934, the date of the holiday was again moved to October 28 due to the fact that many complaints were received, which noted that in 1449 the Julian calendar was in circulation.
In 1940, the original source of the document was discovered, indicating that the new alphabet was announced during the first ten days of the ninth lunar month. The tenth day of the ninth lunar month in 1446 corresponded to October 9, 1446 in the Julian calendar. In 1945, the South Korean government officially set the Korean Alphabet Proclamation Day on October 9th. This day has become a day off for employees of state institutions. The day lost its status as a public holiday in 1991 under pressure from a large number of employers who opposed the increase in non-working days. But, nevertheless, Korean Alphabet Day retains the status of a national holiday today. The Korean Alphabet Society is pushing for a state-level revival of the celebration, but so far with insufficient perseverance. As before, various festive events dedicated to national culture and literature are held on the Day of Korean Writing. Many overseas linguists and Korean language lovers are also joining in on the festivities.

Christmas is a great holiday established to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays and a public holiday in more than 100 countries around the world. December 25 - Christmas is celebrated not only by Catholics, but also by Orthodox Christians in most countries of the world, Lutherans and other Protestant denominations.
The first information about the celebration of Christmas by Christians dates back to the 4th century. The question of the real date of the birth of Jesus Christ is controversial and ambiguously resolved among church authors. Perhaps the choice of December 25 is connected with the pagan solar holiday “Birth of the Invincible Sun” that fell on that day, which, after the adoption of Christianity in Rome, was filled with new content.
According to one of the modern hypotheses, the choice of the date of Christmas occurred due to the simultaneous celebration by early Christians of the Incarnation (the conception of Christ) and Easter. Accordingly, as a result of adding nine months to this date (March 25), Christmas fell on the day of the winter solstice. The feast of the Nativity of Christ has five days of forefeast (from December 20 to 24) and six days of afterfeast. On the eve, or on the eve of the holiday (December 24), a particularly strict fast is observed, called Christmas Eve, since it is eaten on this day. sochivo- wheat or barley grains boiled with honey. According to tradition, the Christmas Eve fast ends with the appearance of the first evening star in the sky. On the eve of the holiday, Old Testament prophecies and events related to the Nativity of the Savior are remembered. Christmas services are performed three times: at midnight, at dawn and during the day, which symbolizes the Nativity of Christ in the bosom of God the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and in the soul of every Christian.
In the 13th century, during the time of St. Francis of Assisi, a custom appeared in churches for worship of mangers, in which the figure of the Infant Jesus is placed. Over time, mangers began to be set up before Christmas not only in churches, but also in homes. Home santons - models in glazed boxes depict a grotto, and baby Jesus lies in a manger. Next to him is the Mother of God, Joseph, an angel, shepherds who came to worship, as well as animals - a bull, a donkey. Entire scenes from folk life are also depicted: for example, peasants in folk costumes are placed next to the holy family.
Church and folk customs are harmoniously intertwined in the celebration of Christmas. In Catholic countries, the custom of caroling is well known - going from house to house of children and youth with songs and good wishes. In return, carolers receive gifts: sausage, roasted chestnuts, fruits, eggs, pies, sweets. Avaricious owners are ridiculed and threatened with troubles. The processions involve various masks dressed in animal skins, this action is accompanied by noisy fun. This custom was repeatedly condemned by church authorities as pagan, and gradually they began to go with carols only to relatives, neighbors and close friends. The tradition of lighting a ritual fire in the hearth - the "Christmas log" - testifies to the remnants of the pagan cult of the sun in Christmas time. The log was solemnly, observing various ceremonies, brought into the house, set on fire, while praying and carving a cross on it (an attempt to reconcile the pagan rite with the Christian religion). The log was sprinkled with grain, poured with honey, wine and oil, put pieces of food on it, addressed it as a living being, raised glasses of wine in his honor. During the celebration of Christmas, a custom was established to break "Christmas bread" - special unleavened wafers consecrated in churches during Advent - and eat it both before the festive meal and during greetings and congratulations to each other on the holiday. A characteristic element of the Christmas holiday is the custom to install a decorated spruce tree in houses. This pagan tradition originated among the Germanic peoples, in whose ritual spruce was a symbol of life and fertility. With the spread of Christianity among the peoples of Central and Northern Europe, the spruce decorated with multi-colored balls acquires a new symbolism: they began to install it in houses on December 24, as a symbol of the tree of paradise with abundant fruits.

Holidays are always fun, positive emotions, gifts and guests. However, in this article we will not talk about anniversaries and weddings, but about the holidays that are celebrated in.

General information about Korean holidays

Some of the celebrations of this Asian state can be very surprising, while others will seem primitive and ordinary. Not all holidays in South Korea give the people of the country the opportunity to take a break from working days. Many of us have heard that all Koreans are workaholics who work without normal holidays and days off, but this is not entirely true. If the holiday fell on a day off, it is not carried over, as is often done in the countries of the former USSR.

So, all holidays in South Korea are divided into several types:

• official, this is when the citizens of the country celebrate and rest;
• informal, this is when the holiday is celebrated, but on a working day;
• modern, which celebrates only the youth;
• traditional, which are mostly remembered only by the older generation.

National holidays in South Korea

Koreans celebrate holidays noisily and colorfully. This country is famous for its enchanting and vibrant festivals that take place throughout the year. It is worth seeing with your own eyes, and you can even become a participant in beautiful and lively holidays.

National holidays in South Korea include the following:

1. New Year celebrate on January 1st. Koreans try to celebrate it with a special chic, so that luck and wealth accompany the whole year. The people have a tradition to go to parks or mountains and meet the first dawn of the new year there. They usually dress up in the national clothes "hanbok", but they can not do without eccentric outfits, masks and costumes. The streets begin to decorate in mid-December, illumination flashes everywhere and festive music is heard. It does not do without the favorite pastime of the Koreans - flying kites "yon". The flow of tourists at this time is always huge, because there are always a lot of people who want to celebrate the New Year in South Korea.
2. sollal, or Chinese New Year. The Korean people live according to the Gregorian calendar, but some holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Seollal is very reminiscent of our family celebrations with gifts and treats. Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different date each year due to the floating lunar schedule.
3. Independence Movement Day celebrated annually on March 1st. The holiday is associated with the liberation from the Japanese occupation. Official performances and mass celebrations are held.


4. Every year it is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month. Koreans pray in Buddhist clothes, asking for health and good luck in life. In most cities, processions are held with bright colorful lanterns in the form of a lotus, and the streets are also decorated. In many temples, tea treats and dinners are arranged, to which everyone can come.



5. celebrate May 5th. Parents pamper their children with lavish gifts and visit zoos and other places. This holiday was founded for joint fun and pastime with the whole family.


6. Day of remembrance or devotion celebrate June 6th. On this day, the memory of men and women who sacrificed their lives to save the Motherland is honored. On June 6 at 10:00 every year, the people of the country hear the sound of a siren and commemorate those killed in the Korean War with a minute of silence. The national flag is always lowered on Memorial Day. The most important and largest ceremony is held at the National Cemetery in. To this day, graves are always decorated with white chrysanthemums and flags of Korea.


7. Independence and Liberation Day. If you still do not know what holiday takes place on August 15 in South Korea, then remember - this is the most important and important Independence Day in the history of the country. On August 15, 1945, the Japanese accepted their defeat in World War II and thus ended the 40-year occupation of Korea. This holiday became official after 4 years - October 1. Throughout the Republic, official events are held with the participation of the main persons of the country. All cities are decorated with state flags, and amnesty is announced for prisoners. Korean Independence Day has its own song that sounds everywhere on this day. It is noteworthy that in North Korea it is also celebrated, only it is called Motherland Liberation Day.


8. always celebrated on October 3rd. The streets are always decorated with flags and many official events are held with the first government officials.


9. is one of the most important holidays in Korea. It's a bit like Thanksgiving in America. It begins to be celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The holiday has another name - Khankavi, which means "big mid-autumn". Koreans hold rituals dedicated to the rich harvest, and thank their ancestors for this.


10. celebrate October 9th. No other country in the world celebrates the day of writing on such a grand scale as it takes place in South Korea. Celebrations dedicated to writing, literature and are held throughout the country. Exhibitions, concerts and a wide variety of events are held in Seoul at the King Sejong Memorial Hall, Gwanghwamun Square, the Museum of History and other places.


11. Christmas celebrated on December 25th. All cities are buried in Christmas trees and illuminations, streets and subways are flooded with Santas, even the President gives a congratulatory speech. Shops arrange grandiose sales, and cafes offer a variety of treats. But for Koreans, this is not a family holiday: they can just go to the movies or go shopping with their significant other. It is interesting that many Buddhist temples, as a symbol of the harmony of religions, also light Christmas trees.

Festivals in South Korea

The Republic of Korea can be proud of not only wonderful holidays, but also magnificent festivals. About 40 of them are held annually. Among all, the following, the most colorful, vibrant and interesting festivals can be distinguished:

• horizon - in Kimchzhe;
• traditional tea utensils - in Mungyeong;
• trout - in;
• sea ​​mud - in Boryeong;
• masked dance - in;
• lanterns - in Jingzhu on the Namgang River.

Korean youth prefer music festivals. Among them there are 2 most popular:

Travel Tips

When planning your trip to South Korea, keep in mind that during the holidays, many establishments may be closed, such as banks, museums, restaurants, and shops. And tickets for planes, trains and buses are sold out in advance. On the eve of important holidays there are long traffic jams. During the Chuseok holiday period, an additional fee for medicines and medical care in the form of 50% is charged.

New Year's greetings to all! Have you noticed that some Asian "chips" are becoming more and more relevant and even more fashionable? Rolls, yoga, martial arts like taekwondo or judo... We are adopting more and more cultural fragments, improving and improving. Are you also ready to meet the upcoming holiday in the same way as our favorite cosmetics creators? Let's see how the New Year is celebrated in Korea, and what its people do on this magical, ancient, long-awaited holiday!

January 1st in Korea

Oddly enough, but the usual New Year is celebrated here without the enthusiasm characteristic of Americans and Europeans. And if each of us has our own traditional attributes of the holiday - a decorated Christmas tree, colorful socks for surprises, gnomes and deer - then the people of Korea did not fantasize. They “borrowed” Santa Claus from the Americans, and artsy decor from the Europeans.

The holiday itself is celebrated more as a tribute to world culture, and not a sincere desire to celebrate the calendar New Year and spend the outgoing one. It is celebrated mainly by young people, who adopt the experience of other countries with interest. From December 31 to January 1, many guys and girls are in entertainment places - clubs, restaurants, parks. For the older generation, these are ordinary days off, which, by the way, are very few for hardworking Koreans.

Christmas in Korea

Like in the US, Koreans celebrate Christmas on December 25th. And they do it with more enthusiasm than in the calendar New Year! Not surprisingly, there are many Christians in the country. It is for this day that Christmas trees are decorated, houses are decorated and Santa Clauses are preparing. By the way, on January 1, the streets of South Korea are full of festive New Year signs and tinsel only because of this holiday. Christmas is considered the most suitable day for the following "missions":

• going to church;
• helping the poor and orphans (even donation boxes are set up on the streets);
• spending time with family and friends.

On the eve of the important winter holiday, Koreans stock up on gifts, decorate buildings and churches, arrange theatrical performances and entertainment programs. In general, everything is the same as in other countries of the world celebrating Christmas.

Real New Year in Korea

This holiday is called Seollal in the country - the most favorite celebration of local residents. It is celebrated not according to the calendar, but according to the lunar calendar, on the 1st day of the first month. Usually it is the end of January or February. The scale of the holiday is so important for the country that before it was allocated as many as 14 days off! Now there are only 3 of them, but the Koreans, who are not spoiled for rest from work, are also happy with this.

The connection of generations is very important in the New Year, so they spend it only with the family. It is believed that even departed ancestors come to their relatives on this day and celebrate the holiday together with everyone. Only traditional dishes are served on the table, and in large quantities.

Customs accompany not only the festive table, but the whole day. Here is a sample program for each Korean family:

• eating the main New Year's dish - tteokguk soup;
• trip to parents and relatives;
• commemoration of 4 generations of ancestors;
• traditional family games: kite flying, swings, "sticks";
• meeting the dawn on the seashore or mountain peak.

Shops and entertainment venues are closed on holidays - even their employees go to relatives to celebrate Seollal. The apartments are decorated with images of a chicken and a tiger, which should protect the home from evil spirits and attract prosperity.

It is interesting that the age of every inhabitant of Korea is added not on a birthday, but on New Year. It seems to me that this feature pleases children who strive for early adulthood, but annoys women. ;)

What do Koreans give each other most often?

During the celebration of the New Year, Koreans observe an important tradition - honoring the elders. The younger members of the family kneel down and bow to grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, accompanying each bow with congratulations. After such a ritual, adults give children sweets and money. The amount is fixed and depends on the age of the child: the older the child, the more it is customary to give him. And the more relatives and bows, the richer the youngest member of the family. Some lucky people even manage to save up for several semesters of study at the university!

Young people exchange with each other not bows and money, but interesting gifts prepared for Christmas sales. Most often, these are cosmetics, kits and interesting new items from Korean brands. This choice is associated with an indomitable desire for a perfect appearance, both among girls and boys. If you haven't prepared gifts for loved ones yet, check out Asian-style surprise ideas. It's not just Koreans who want to look great!

Summing up

Despite the fact that Korea is a dynamically developing country, the cultural customs of its inhabitants are sacredly cherished and honored. The generally accepted New Year here has not replaced the usual Seollal, celebrated by Koreans since ancient times. But this does not mean that it will not be possible to celebrate your favorite holiday on January 1 in this country. Be sure, the young people of the country will gladly share your mood!

And I am just as faithful to family traditions as conservative Koreans, so I prepare in the old fashioned way to cook Olivier and jelly. I wish you all a New Year's mood, a great holiday and long-awaited happiness! Your Vorobieva Nastya.

Holidays are different: national, religious, professional and international. But no matter what holiday it is, it brings joy to our home! Some are celebrated at the state level, some in a narrow circle. Both those and others help to bring together both the whole nation and a small team. Koreans love holidays, love their country, so they celebrate them cheerfully and noisily. We offer you some especially significant holidays for Koreans.

New Year in South Korea according to the solar calendar is celebrated quite formally. Basically, everyone tries to use non-working days for meetings with friends and relatives. In addition to decorated Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, fuss around the counters with New Year's cards and gifts, the streets delight the eye with posters replaced during the holidays with " We all have to work hard"on wishes" More happiness in the new year". Someone goes to the mountains, on the tops of which they meet the first dawn of the new year, someone goes to close friends and relatives.

New Year is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar (lunar). Festivals, festivities dedicated to this holiday in South Korea last 3 days. Often the New Year according to the lunar calendar is called " Chinese"because its celebration spread throughout Asia, and later throughout the world, precisely from the Middle Kingdom. Moreover, in most countries celebrating this holiday," Chinese" New Year is a public holiday and a joyful event for representatives of all nationalities and faiths. New Year's dinner is the main New Year's tradition. And there should be as many dishes as possible on the table. A popular tradition is to bow to senior relatives. On this day, it is customary to eat soup tteokguk, which is a symbol of spiritual purity and longevity.It is believed that in the new year according to the lunar calendar, each person becomes a year older.According to tradition, on a festive night at the table there are the spirits of ancestors, who are full participants in the celebration.All subsequent days it is customary to visit with congratulations from relatives and friends.Also during this period, traditional mass festivities are organized - costumed dances and masquerade street processions.

Every year on March 1st South Korea Independence Movement Day (Samiljol) is celebrated to commemorate the declaration of independence from Japanese colonial rule and the official start of the passive resistance movement. In March 1919, the Declaration of Independence was published in Seoul. The declaration was signed by 33 patriots South Korea and read in the park Pagoda(now - Tapgol Park) Seoul. All over Korea a wave of demonstrations swept through, which demonstrated to the whole world the desire of Koreans for sovereignty.

Tree Planting Day (Arbor Day, in Korean Sikmogil) was established in connection with the Park Jin Hee government's campaign to restore Korean forests. As you know, this campaign was extremely successful. Until 2005, this day was a public holiday in the country, but even now the traditions of celebration have been preserved. On this day, many people South Korea take part in planting greenery in their areas, planting forests in the mountains. In common years, Arbor Day coincides with one of the most important Korean holidays, the Cold Food Festival, which Korea called Hansik (Hansik), which literally means " cold food". Nowadays, people celebrate Hansik, associating it with the invitation of warm weather that will melt the frozen ground. On Hansik Day, Korean families visit the graves of their ancestors from the very morning. Since Tree Planting Day is celebrated on the same day, cemeteries are filled with relatives and relatives In common years, Hansik falls on the 105th day after the winter solstice.At this time of the year, the sky becomes clearer and clearer, farmers go out into the fields to plant the first seeds in the ground and water the paddy fields.It is believed that the tradition to take cold food on this day came from China, but recently the traditions described in the Chinese legend are gradually being forgotten.

The name of the holiday in Korean is: Orini nal". This day has become a public holiday since 1923 thanks to the public educator Bang Jong-Hwan, who proposed to approve May 1 as Children's Day. Since 1946, the holiday began to be celebrated on May 5, and has become a day off since 1975. Mass entertainment events are held in all cities and villages events, sports competitions, the heroes of which, of course, are children.

Buddha's Birthday (Buddha's Birthday / Seokgatansinil) is celebrated in some East Asian countries on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. In the Republic Korea this holiday became an official holiday in 1975. On this day, Koreans visit Buddhist temples to pray for health and good luck in life. In many cities, festive processions are held with colorful lotus-shaped lanterns. Buddhist temples are also decorated with such lanterns, allowing you to admire the colorful picture for a whole month. Lanterns are hung along the streets, covering almost all free space. On Buddha's Birthday, many temples host charity dinners and tea treats, to which all visitors are invited. Buddha's birthday is also officially celebrated in Macau and Hong Kong. But in Japan, which switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on April 8 and is neither an official nor a major holiday.

Constitution Day in South Korea(Jeheonjeol / Constitution Day in South Korea) is celebrated annually on July 17 - this is the day the country's constitution was proclaimed in 1948. Officially, Constitution Day was approved on October 1, 1949 after the introduction of the law on public holidays of the country. First Republic South Korea was formally founded on August 18, 1948. Since 2008, Constitution Day is not a day off for workers and employees, although it is considered a holiday. On this day, no special events except for official celebrations in Seoul and big cities South Korea, is not carried out. Also, over the years, marathon races held in different parts of the country have become traditional.
History South Korea begins with the Soviet-American agreement at the end of the summer of 1945 on the division of spheres of influence on the peninsula. Under this agreement, part Korea south of the 38th parallel came under the jurisdiction USA, the northern one - under the jurisdiction of the Soviet Union. In the history of the country, periods of democratic and authoritarian governance alternated. Since its founding South Korea has come a long way in the development of its education, economy and culture. In the 1960s, the country was one of the poorest in the region, while now it is a developed industrial state.

August 15, 1945 Korea freed itself from Japanese colonial rule, while gaining independence and founding its own government. In the Republic Korea on this day, an official ceremony is held, and the state flag is hung on many buildings.

The autumn holiday of Chuseok (Full Moon Day) is the holiday most eagerly awaited by all the inhabitants of the modern world. Korea. Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. But to be more precise, Chuseok lasts three days - the first and third days of the festival are held for gathering and on the road. The culmination of the holiday is the middle day - the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. September 10 is also a public holiday as a result of the weekend substitution system. Highways are filled with endless lines of cars, and almost all institutions and shops are closed for three days. Families gather together, pay tribute to the memory of their departed relatives and visit their graves. Everyone strives to celebrate the Chuseok holiday in their native places. Bookings for planes and trains are usually made in advance a few months before the holiday. Chuseok, along with Seollal, is one of the most important holidays of the year, it is a celebration of the harvest and gratitude to the earth for its generosity. People come to their parents' houses to spend this holiday together.

October 3rd every year South Korea one of the main public holidays is celebrated - National Foundation Day / Gaecheonjeol. This day is an official holiday in the country; the day the national flag is hoisted. Foundation Day is one of the 5 national holidays established by the National Public Holidays Act in 1949. The holiday was established in honor of the formation of the first state of the Korean nation in 2333 BC by the legendary god-king Dangun Wanggeom. Tangun was the son of a heavenly ruler and turned into a bear-woman, allegedly, and founded the state of Ancient Joseon (Gojoseon). On the day of the festival, a simple ceremony is performed on the altar at the top of Mani Mountain on Ganghwa-do. According to legend, this altar was placed there by Tangun himself as a token of gratitude to his father and grandfather in heaven.

October 9 at South Korea Hangul Proclamation Day is celebrated as the Korean Alphabet Day. The original alphabet of the Korean language is called Hangul, and today they celebrate its creation and proclamation in the country by King Sejong the Great. King Sejong made public the publication of a document introducing the new alphabet in 1446, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In 1926, the Hangul Society celebrated the 480th anniversary of the declaration of the Korean alphabet on the last day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which coincides with November 4 of the Gregorian calendar. In 1931, the celebration was moved to October 29 according to the Gregorian calendar. In 1934, the date of the holiday was again postponed to October 28 due to the fact that many claims were received, which noted that in 1446 the Julian calendar was in circulation. In 1940, the original source of the document was discovered, indicating that the new alphabet was announced during the first ten days of the ninth lunar month. The tenth day of the ninth lunar month in 1446 corresponded to October 9, 1446 in the Julian calendar. In 1945 the government South Korea officially set the Day for the Promulgation of the Korean Alphabet on October 9th. This day has become a day off for employees of state institutions. The status of a public holiday was lost in 1991, under pressure from a large number of employers who opposed the increase in non-working days. However, Korean Alphabet Day still retains the status of a national holiday today. The Korean Alphabet Society is pushing for a state-level revival of the celebration, but so far with insufficient perseverance. As before, various festive events dedicated to national culture and literature are held on the Day of Korean Writing. Many overseas linguists and Korean language lovers are also joining in on the festivities.

Christmas (성탄절) has become very popular due to the large number of Christians in the country. It is at this time that you can come to the country and plunge into the festive mood and maybe listen to several Korean versions of popular Christmas songs. Christmas is a national holiday in South Korea like in many other countries. As for Christmas food, there is no turkey or ham, as is customary in the west. The most popular food is kimchi and tteokguk (tteok soup (chhapsal) - glutinous rice cakes), as well as tangerines and sweets.