Lights of culture cluster in Seoul
KOREA HERALD
This is the 52nd in a series of articles highlighting tourism spots in Seoul. The guide for planning weekend trips in the capital city will help readers rediscover Seoul. - Ed.
By Annabelle Lee
Colorful lanterns from all around the world have been gathered together in Cheonggyecheon, the stream running through the heart of Seoul. The fantastic banquet of lighting is on offer to all visitors, reflected in the Cheongyecheon with the sound of running water in the background.
Even in chilly weather Cheonggeycheon is popular with all kinds of people, from office workers in business suits and couples out on a date to families with kids. As the cloudless skies of late autumn turn red with the dying sunset, the colorful lanterns light up one after another.
The lighting festival started on Nov. 11, Wednesday and will run through Nov. 15. The lanterns embellish a 1 km stretch of the watercourse from Cheonggye Square at the top of the stream to the Samilgyo bridge. The event has its origins in Gwandeungnori, a lighting festival that was celebrated throughout the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The festival aims to tell a story about the past, the present and the future of Seoul through the thematic lantern exhibition.
Four theme of Seoul Lantern Festival
The Seoul Lantern Festival has four themes; “Gyoryu,” the cultural exchange and communication among the world’s citizens represented by the gathering of world lanterns that symbolizes each nation; “Wollyu,” the “original wave,” which represents Seoul’s traditional culture; “Hallyu,” the Korean cultural wave of the present day; and “Illyu,” which symbolizes the future of Seoul as the world’s top city.
The events designed under the first theme Gyoryu are held in the zone from Cheonggye Square through Gwangtong bridge, where the lanterns that represent each country are gorgeously displayed. A gigantic lantern shaped like a “Haechi,” a mythical chimera newly chosen as the emblem of Seoul, expresses its welcoming message to others from Japan, Taiwan, and China. The foreign lanterns, put together by master craftsmen, all have intriguing and brand-new styles. In particular, the umbrella-shaped and bamboo-shaped lanterns that were so popular at the Yamaga Lantern Festival held in Gumaamoto, Japan, have been brought here. More famous lanterns, such as the Nebuta from Aomori and the Ganto from Akita, were also included in the exhibition. The Japanese artisans who built them organized the installation and exhibition of their pieces personally. In addition visitors can float lanterns on the Cheonggyecheon with a note expressing their desires.
Lighting festival with 1,500-year tradition from the Silla Dynasty
The area around Gwang Bridge is themed on “Wollyu,” reflecting traditional aspects of Korea. The lanterns here celebrate the long-tradition of lantern festivals in Korea, such as “Palgwanhoe” of Silla, the assembly of the Eight Commandments, “Yeondeunghoe: of Goryeo, the Buddhist lantern festival, and Joseon’s “Jongno Gwandengnori.”
Palgwanhoe was a nationwide grand event lasting from the 6th century until the Goryeo Dynasty took over the country in the 10th century. It was a Buddhist ritual to enforce the eight commandments — the five grand rules that ban murder, theft, adultery, empty talk and drinking, and an additional three rules that ban extravagance, sitting on a high place, and meals in the afternoon. Around the areas where the Palgwanhoe event took place, “hyangdeung” (fragrant lanterns) were hung, steps were made with wood, and decorative stages called chaebung were erected with five-colored silk curtains hanging above it.
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| Lanterns with wishes written by visitors to Seoul Lantern Festival light up the area under a bridge by Cheonggyecheon |
The Yeondeunghoe of the Goryeo Dynasty was similar to Palgwanhoe. The lantern-lighting event named “Yeondeung” was one of the measures of offering food as a sacrifice to honor the charitable deeds of Buddha. The lanterns are to reflect the bright light his deeds shone on a dark world filled with suffering and negligence. When Yeondeunghoe began, all the outdoor lanternss of the royal palace were lit, and wine and food was served to the royal families and subjects as they enjoyed music, dancing, and plays. During the event, they prayed for the peace and prosperity of the nation and the royal family.
The Gwandeungnori event held in the Joseon Dynasty was also called “Hoginori.” During the festival period until prior to the Buddha’s Birthday, there was a custom that kids would cut paper and hung it on a lantern poles like a flag, before walking around the market in order to get rice or money to make their lanterns. On Buddha’s Birthday, people visited temples to offer meals. At night, each family lit the lanterns in front of their house. They would light one lantern for each of their children. On every corner of the streets, multi-colored lanterns were hung and young men and women went out with lanterns to gather in one spot.
In the “Wollyu” area, there are specially made lanterns of animals from Korean fables, including a phoenix, a tiger, and a tortoise. Twelve guardian gods are also exhibited. In addition, there will be a tunnel along which lanterns with the desires of citizens will be laid.
Hallyu and Illyu spreading to Samilgyo Bridge
The “Hallyu” event, which centers on the Jangtong Bridge, features lanterns crafted in images representing Seoul and Korea in order to promote the wave of Korean culture that has spread to other Asian nations in the recent past. The lanterns showcased here come in the shape of the iconic landmarks of Seoul, such as N Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace, and friendly characters of famous people. They include the sports stars Park Chan-ho and Park Tae-hwan, actor Lee Jun-gi, and the popular Korean cartoon character Pororo, the VKC’s official mascot.
The last zone, “Illyu,” looks toward the energetic take-off of Seoul to become the advanced world’s premium city. The lanterns standing here symbolize the new icons of Seoul such as the new Seoul government office building, and Dongdaemun’s Design Plaza in order to communicate the city’s strong desire to be an authentic design-oriented global city.
Information on Visit Korea Year/Lantern festival
Seoul Lantern Festival
During the Seoul Lantern Festival, a full choice of performances and events are taking place around Cheonggyecheon.
Experience events for citizens such as making lanterns with wishes attached and setting them afloat will be held around the Gwangtong Bridge and the Jangtong Bridge from 6-9 p.m. on all of the five days. Making a memorable lantern called “Chorongdeung” with “hanji” (Korean-style paper) is held at around Mojeon Bridge, Gwang Bridge, and Samil Bridge from 2 p.m. everyday.
There will be performances on a stage between Gwangtong Bridge and Gwang Bridge from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, such as Funny Band, a brass sextet; a fusion performance using tambourines and “Gayageum” (a Korean zither); and a-cappella performances. The evenings (5-7 p.m.) will have B-Boy, electric string musical performances, byeongeomsul, and hwago performances.
The temporary stage installed under the Gwanggyo bridge is dedicated to exotic street performances including sculpture performances, magic shows, buskers and body painting. In particular, from 5:30 p.m. today, a fashion show is organized with the participation of citizens.
From 6-10 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, horse carriages will shuttled between the Cheonggye Square and the Gwangtong Bridge. From 2-10 p.m., a lantern cafe will open on the Gwangtong Bridge.
2010-2012 Visit Korea Year
The three years from 2010 to 2012 have been called “Visit Korea Year.” As the first stage of the events, the Seoul government prepared the Seoul Lantern Festival as an inaugural event under the theme of “2010-2012 Visit Korea Year — Come with Seoul,” to enjoy the upcoming years in the heart of Seoul.
The opening ceremony was attended by over 2,000 people and government dignitaries including the Seoul city mayor, the chairman of the Visit Korea Committee, the minister of culture, sports and tourism, lawmakers, ambassadors to Korea, people involved in the domestic tourism industry, and local city residents. The first part consisted of a percussion performance, a opening address, a congratulatory message, and the lantern-lighting event of Seoul Lantern Festival. The second part will feature performances by famous Hallyu stars and a “hanbok” fashion show which will show new designs of Korea’s traditional dress.
For detailed information on the opening ceremony and the lantern festival, please visit the websites of either The Year of Visit Seoul (www.visitkorea.com) or Seoul City Tourism (www.visitseoul.net). All participation fees, which range from 500 won to 1,000 won will be donated to charity.
Bokgeo Maul (or Bokgeo Village in English) in Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong, Gyeonggi Province was built next to a hill that is shaped like a prostrate tiger. Local legends say tigers used to frequent the village.
