Holidays in South Korea

Holidays are always fun, positive emotions, gifts and guests. However, in this article, it will not be about jubilees and weddings, but about holidays celebrated in South Korea .

General information about Korean holidays

Holidays are always fun, positive emotions, gifts and guests. However, in this article, it will not be about jubilees and weddings, but about holidays celebrated in South Korea .

General information about Korean holidays

Some of the celebrations of this Asian state can be very surprising, while others seem primitive and ordinary. Far from all the holidays of South Korea give the people of the country the opportunity to relax from everyday work. Many of us have heard that all Koreans are workaholics who work without normal vacations and weekends, but this is not entirely true. If the holiday falls on a day off, it can not be tolerated, as often it is done in the countries of the former USSR.

So, all the 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 only young people celebrate;
• Traditional, which is remembered mostly only by the people of the older generation.

National holidays in South Korea

Koreans celebrate the holidays noisily and colorfully. This country is famous for enchanting and bright festivals that take place throughout the year. It's worth seeing with your own eyes, and you can even become a party to beautiful and vibrant holidays.

The national holidays in South Korea include the following:

1. The New Year is celebrated on January 1. Koreans try to celebrate it with a special glamor so that luck and wealth all year round. The people have a tradition to go to parks or mountains and there to meet the first dawn of the new year. Dress up usually in national dress "hanbok", but it does not do without eccentric outfits, masks and costumes. The streets begin to decorate in the middle of December, the illumination flashes everywhere and the festive music is heard. It does not do without a favorite occupation of the Koreans - the launching of kites "yon". The flow of tourists at this time is always huge, because there are always a lot of people wishing to celebrate the New Year in South Korea.
2. Sollal , or the New Year on the Chinese calendar. The Korean people live according to the Gregorian calendar, but some holidays are celebrated on the lunar calendar. Sollal very much reminds our celebrations in a circle of family with gifts and entertainments. The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year on different days because of the floating lunar schedule.
3. Independence Day is celebrated annually on March 1. The holiday is associated with the liberation from the Japanese occupation. Official speeches, mass festivities are held.
4. Birthday of the Buddha. Every year it is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month. Koreans pray in Buddhist temples , asking for health and luck in life. In most cities there are processions with bright colorful lanterns in the form of a lotus, as well as decorating the streets. In many churches, guests are offered treats with tea and lunches, which everyone can come to.
5. Children's Day is celebrated on May 5. Parents spoil their children with generous gifts and visit recreational parks , zoos and other recreational facilities . This holiday was founded for sharing fun and pastime with the whole family.
6. Day of memory or devotion is celebrated on June 6. On this day, they honor the memory of men and women who sacrificed their lives for the sake of saving the Motherland. June 6 at 10:00 every year, residents hear the sound of a siren and a minute of silence commemorate those killed in the Korean War. The national flag on Memorial Day is always lowered. The most important and grand ceremony is held at the National Cemetery in Seoul . By this day, graves are always adorned with white chrysanthemums and flags of Korea.
7. Independence and Liberation Day. If you still do not know which holiday takes place on August 15 in South Korea, then remember - this is the most important and important in the history of the country's Independence Day. In 1945, on August 15, the Japanese took their defeat in World War II and thus put an end to the 40-year occupation of Korea. Official this holiday became after 4 years - on October, 1st. 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 prisoners are declared amnesty. Korea's Independence Day has its own song, which sounds on this day from everywhere. It is noteworthy that in North Korea it is also celebrated, only it is called the Day of Liberation of the Motherland.
8. The foundation day of the state is always celebrated on October 3. The streets are always decorated with flags and many official events are held with the first government officials.
9. Chusok is one of the most important holidays in Korea. It's a bit like Thanksgiving in America. It begins to celebrate the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The holiday has one more name - Khankavi, which means "big middle of autumn". Koreans conduct rituals dedicated to the rich harvesting, and thank for it ancestors.
10. Hangul's Day is celebrated on October 9th. In no country in the world is celebrated with such a grand scale the day of writing, as it is in South Korea. Celebrations, timed to the letter, literature and culture , are held throughout the country. In Seoul, in the Memorial Hall of King Sejong, in Gwanghwamun Square, in the Historical Museum and other places there are exhibitions, concerts and a wide variety of activities.
11. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. All the cities are buried in Christmas trees and illumination, Santa makes the streets and metro, even the President holds 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 cinema or take a walk with their second half shopping. 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 not only of wonderful holidays, but also of great festivals. Annually about 40 of them are held. Among all the following, the most colorful, bright and interesting festivals:

• the horizon in Kimje;
• traditional tea utensils - in Mungyeon;
• trout - in Quachon ;
• sea ​​mud - in the city of Bourgogne;
• dance in masks - in Andone ;
• lanterns - in Chinzhu on the river Namgan.

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

1. Pentaport Rock Festival - a music festival in South Korea, taking place in Incheon . The main direction is music, friendship, passion. These music festivals are held in South Korea in August.
2. Busan One Asia Festival or BOF in Busan is the main musical event of the year. It will begin on October 22 and runs for 9 days. The main direction is Korean youth music and culture.

Tips for tourists

When planning a trip to South Korea, keep in mind that during the holidays many establishments can be closed, for example, banks, museums, restaurants and shops. And tickets for airplanes, trains and buses are bought out in advance. On the eve of important holidays, long traffic jams. During the holiday of Chusoka, an additional fee is charged for medicines and medical assistance in the form of 50%.