The population of South Korea lives according to the Gregorian calendar. However, most traditional holidays are celebrated according to lunar calendar. There are a total of nine official holidays in this country.
Koreans love holidays, and since they don’t have many of them, they treat everyone with special trepidation. Moreover, if in South Korea official holiday falls on a weekend, the day off will not be transferred.
Winter holidays
New Year It is celebrated, as in most countries of the world, on January 1. However, this event is celebrated by residents formally. The date of this holiday according to the lunar calendar varies from year to year. For example, holidays in Korea in 2013 according to the lunar calendar began on February 9 (New Year). This is a very important festival lasting fifteen days. It is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. According to the traditions of the celebration, there should be as much as possible on the table.
Spring holidays
The first day of spring is a public holiday - Korean Independence Movement Day. It all started back in 1919, when the people of the country rebelled against the colonial rule of Japan. About 50,000 people died that year at the hands of the Japanese police, who broke up demonstrations throughout Korea.
Holidays in South Korea continue with Arbor Day. The event is celebrated on the fifth of April. The holiday is dedicated to the campaign to restore Korean forests. It began under the government of Park Chung Hee and ended very successfully.
Children's Day in South Korea is celebrated on May 5th. The holiday has been considered a national holiday since 1923. At first, the holiday was celebrated on May 1, but since 1946 the official date of the celebration was moved to May 5. This day was only made a day off in 1975.
Korean holidays also include Buddha's birthday. The holiday has been celebrated in this country since 1975. This holiday is also celebrated in Hong Kong and Macau.
Summer holidays
Remembrance Day is celebrated in South Korea on June 6. On this day, civilians and soldiers who died during hostilities are remembered.
On the fifth day of May, South Korea celebrates the Gangneung Dano Festival. This holiday is considered one of the most original and traditional. The festival takes place during the planting season in the city of Gangneung. By the way, this is the only city in Korea where there is a building included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Constitution Day in South Korea is celebrated on July 17th. On this day in 1948, the Constitution of the country was proclaimed. Since 2008, Constitution Day has not been a day off, although it is considered a holiday.
Autumn holidays
On October 3, the country celebrates the Founding Day of the State in South Korea.
Chuseok or autumn holiday The full moon is one of the country's favorite events. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. On three holidays, it is customary to visit distant relatives and the graves of ancestors. Plane and train tickets must be booked six months in advance.
Therefore, there is even less opportunity to rest. And this is probably why many South Koreans are eager to take advantage of any chance for relaxation and entertainment. In addition, there was a real struggle for some holidays here... So Koreans really value the opportunity to walk and enjoy life. So, let's take it in order.
New Year and Christmas in Korea
In Korea, Christmas is a Catholic holiday celebrated on December 25th. Came with the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar to South Korea along with European culture and its influence. Local residents also celebrate the New Year every year according to the eastern, lunar calendar, and there is no fixed date; the difference between one and the second year can be very significant and reach, for example, 10 days or even more.
New Year's Eve eastern calendar continues to be celebrated as tribute national traditions. Celebrated in February. Different cultural values and contexts are also evident in different approaches for these holidays, in organizational issues, in how and with what they decorate the streets, what gifts they give and to whom, what symbols they use.
Christmas in South Korea is celebrated by about 30% of the population; this is the number of local residents here who are Catholics, or rather Christians, but the majority of them are Catholics.
And since it is difficult not to be absorbed in the atmosphere of some holiday, when a third of the country is celebrating something, in the end it turns out that everyone is celebrating something in one way or another. But in general, Christmas in South Korea has acquired a slightly surprising color; in fact, here it is the second Valentine’s Day, when lovers give each other various gifts and invite each other on a date. Such a situation may even amaze a not very sophisticated person.
Preparations for the classic New Year in South Korea are not going the way many are used to. There are no crowds, no queues, no huge number of people running around before the holiday. Still, psychologically, the majority of the population considers the New Year to be the classic one, eastern holiday, which is reflected in the approach to the organization. But at the same time, people here are not averse to congratulating their Western colleagues, partners, and just having fun: why not? And, of course, tourist centers and various complexes organize various shows, performances, fairs, in general, they try to please tourists as much as possible.
Lunar New Year (Tzoil) is celebrated in many different ways, as in family circle, and very magnificently, on the streets. But in general, Koreans try to preserve traditions. The morning begins with a ceremonial breakfast, this is the morning of a new day, the first day of the new year according to this calendar. National dishes are served, always snacks, most of them were prepared the day before, of course, there is kimchi, South Korea is proud of this product, lotus root, anchovies, in general, it’s quite difficult to imagine a festive feast without seafood at all. There are also all kinds of herbs and plants, for example, bellflower root sounds very exotic to a European person.
Also on this day there is a very There are many different rituals associated with honoring elders. For example, from the very early morning everyone participates in the tsare ritual - this is a kind of sacrifice to deceased ancestors, which is expressed in the fact that the table needs to be set for them. Moreover, there are a lot of rules about exactly how this should be done, where what dish should be, in what order different dishes will be placed on the table, and so on. The main troubles fall to women, since it is believed that only representatives of the fair sex should prepare such a sacrifice.
Next comes the worship of living older relatives. It happens in the literal sense of the word: the younger members of the family bow to the elders, no matter how old you are now, that is, adult men of 50 years old will bow to their living parents, aunts, uncles... And most of all, of course, the youngest in the family bow . But on the other hand, the older one gives money to the younger one; the more relatives there are, the more significant the gift one can receive. Overall, this is a very interesting and unusual holiday, which is curious and original in its own way.
And, naturally, these days the streets are decorated, various processions and parades take place, all kinds of events and fireworks are held, in general, everything looks very beautiful. But still, every Korean should be with his family in the morning...
In general, very large families gather, sometimes several dozen people. Very often, relatives meet where they were born, meet their parents, cook a lot of food, and bring gifts.
And everything is celebrated over 3 days, this is the longest weekend of the whole year.
Buddha's Birthday
One of the fairly large Korean holidays, since in South Korea 25% of the population are Buddhists. This religious celebration takes place on the 8th day of 4 months according to the lunar calendar, that is, each year is calculated separately. Everything is decorated with bright lanterns, Buddha figurines can literally be found everywhere, and recognizable music often sounds, which is difficult to confuse with anything else.
Koreans visit Korean temples, and there are festive processions with very picturesque lotus-shaped lanterns. Often the surroundings of monasteries and pagodas are literally covered up, as a result there is no free space left, but everything looks very colorful, especially at night when it is lit. Monasteries often organize charity dinners with tea and ritual dishes, and all interested visitors are invited. In general, the atmosphere is very calm and friendly.
Chuseok or Chuseok
Mentioning this holiday will slightly disrupt the chronology, but it will be justified from the point of view of significance, because it is definitely worth telling about it, and in detail. Firstly, it is the second most important holiday in South Korea, which is held in honor of the harvest, is the main autumn celebration. It is also celebrated for three days, however, in this case, rather unofficially, since the government has not yet agreed to give as many as two holidays a year on three days off, but residents are fighting for their rights and are ready to ensure that they are given a holiday on the official level. In the meantime, only one day is legal, but the majority take time off or just days off at their own expense, in general, they come up with something.
Secondly, this is a celebration that is expected, if not the whole year, then for about half of the year - for sure. They prepare for it very carefully, just like the Lunar New Year, this holiday is also very family friendly, so many Koreans go home to their parents. Such movements are due to the fact that young people are now actively moving from the provinces to big cities, to Seoul, to the capital and to other large settlements; some study or work, or even combine everything together abroad. But in Chuseok he always returns home to spend time with his family.
And since now about half of the population is not in the place where they were born, the return is not without incident. Therefore, Chuseok is called the day of the great migration, since approximately half of the inhabitants find themselves on the roads. Few people have enough money to buy plane tickets; besides, seats on them are limited, and they don’t go to villages anyway. So sooner or later everyone ends up on terribly clogged roads where traffic jams are simply incredible.
But when someone who wants to go somewhere ends up at a festival, a very rich program awaits him. For example, here they sing and dance, decorate the village with various lanterns and invite everyone, especially city residents who have lost touch with craftsmanship and the ability to do something with their hands, to make crafts. You can practice calligraphy or make a lantern; Koreans incredibly love to decorate everything around them, without exception, from simple trees to temples. Of course, it’s hard to imagine a real oriental holiday without a kite, so you’ll definitely see one here. Or you can try your hand and make with my own hands. In principle, it is very difficult to visit Chuseok and not learn at least something; original master classes are held on every corner.
You can also admire the competitions or take part in them, take pictures in beautiful historical outfits... By the way, tourists, unlike the Koreans themselves, do not need to go to the village to see all this with their own eyes. They can simply head to an elaborate simulation in the heart of Seoul. Everything is conveyed as colorfully as one can imagine, and the fact that everyone can join in is especially pleasing.
Seoul Lantern Festival
Speaking about holidays, it is impossible to say about traditional festivals, for example, there is one, relatively new, dedicated to lanterns. It is held in the very center of Seoul. The festival has been held every November since 2009, but many tourists have already begun to associate it with this beautiful city.
The lanterns are lit from 17:00 and remain on until 23:05.
There are a lot of people here, but thanks to the volunteers, there is no crowding or crushing. Only about a kilometer of area is illuminated. There are various competitions, competitions and simply interesting events. For example, you can make your own paper lantern or take a photo of what is there - there are an incredible number of photographers here, it seems that they are in some kind of Mecca. In general, tourists are highly advised to come here.
Ice fishing festival in Hwangchong
It is also called an ice festival or a mountain trout fishing festival. It is one of the most famous events of this kind, not least due to the constant records that are set there. So, not very long ago the whole world spread the news that 300 thousand people gathered on one lake! It is noteworthy that this territory is located close to the border with North Korea, and it is really very close here, but this does not bother anyone: it is here that the lakes are the first to freeze in winter, and the holiday is held at the beginning of winter.
What are people doing here? They are fishing for trout, trying to catch as many fish as possible., there are competitions: who caught the most in number (pieces), the fastest (pulled out the very first fish), the most in weight, whose individual fish weighed more than the rest, and so on. Since the rules do not stipulate a specific method, some particularly cunning Koreans, without waiting for them to be given a hook and line, dive into the ice hole and catch fish with their teeth! True, tents are set up on the banks and there are mobile trailers with good heating, so no one is in danger of frostbite, but it still makes a strong impression.
In general, before the start of the holiday, the organizers drill up to 14 thousand holes, but this, as you might guess, is catastrophically small.
There is a separate struggle for the holes. Those who wish are invited to find a free place, if possible, drill their own hole or settle down with someone else’s with permission. Some enterprising individuals even then sell or rent them out - by the hour. Overall, it's really fun here.
Sea Mud Festival
Very unusual event, which takes place every July in Koren. It was originally invented as a means to draw attention to the use of healing cosmetics containing local beneficial mud. But gradually the entertainment potential of this event was revealed.
It turned out that most people just like to swim in the mud, and women's wrestling is especially popular. However, there is also entertainment for every taste here for children and the elderly.
Holidays and events of South Korea 2020: the most important festivals and highlights, national holidays and events in South Korea. Photos and videos, descriptions, reviews and timings.
Residents South Korea They treat holidays with great respect and celebrate them colorfully and noisily. This country is famous throughout the world for its festivals, of which everyone can become a spectator and participant throughout the year, seeing with their own eyes these bright, lively and amazing beautiful holidays life.
Koreans celebrate New Year twice: the usual holiday of the New Year 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 safely be called the longest and very important holiday in South Korea. For 15 days, wild New Year's festivities and celebrations, masquerade balls and costume parades take place throughout the country.
In itself New Year's Eve According to the lunar calendar, it is customary to prepare a rich dinner, replete with a huge number of different dishes: tradition says that on this night not only the residents of the house, but also the spirits of their departed relatives sit down at the table.
Spring is the time of awakening of nature, so most spring holidays and festivals in South Korea have a nature theme. In March, the city of Gwangyang hosts the Plum Festival, when different varieties of these trees are presented in all their glory in bloom. In April the island Jeju becomes an ideal place for all lovers: during the Sakura Festival, they can walk on the flower petals under these beautiful trees, thereby blessing their married 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 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 Motor Show in July, where you can see the latest trends in car production. In Boryeong, the Clay Festival takes place in July, accompanied by the fun madness of mud fights.
One of the largest and most interesting festivals in Korea is the Sea Festival in Busan, which takes place on 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 every festival guest can learn to row a canoe or scuba dive for free. The opening ceremony of the festival deserves no less attention: it brings together all the famous Korean performers, and at the end, festive 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 Great Food Festival, during which the most famous chefs from Jeolla province prepare amazingly tasty and no less beautiful traditional dishes of South Korea. Culinary masters at work is a beautiful and inspiring sight, and trying the national dishes they prepare is an incomparable pleasure for any gourmet.
The International Fireworks Festival held in October in South Korea is considered a unique event in the cultural life of South Korea. Seoul, spectacular and brilliant. World-class masters in the field of pyrotechnics create an absolutely stunning atmosphere from air and light, colors and lights. Festival guests will enjoy breathtaking fireworks and a laser show.
All people on earth love holidays, 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), if they fall on weekends, they are not “transferred” to weekdays, so a good half of the holidays simply “burn out.” That is why Koreans treat every 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 Freshness"- 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 fields and burning away the veil of fog in the mountains, the image of the morning peace and quiet, when you can breathe in fresh air, recharge your batteries and prepare for a day of work in the ever-moving, ever-dynamic Korea.
Korea, like any country, is strongly associated with certain images.
Firstly, this National clothes Handbok, which is definitely worn during the holidays. Secondly, healthy food bulgogi And kimchi(“fire meat” and vegetables kept in salt water and then adding 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 to meet with friends and relatives. In addition to decorated Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, the bustle around the counters with New Year's cards and gifts, the streets are pleasing to the eye with posters, replaced during the holidays from “We all must work hard” to wishes for “More happiness in the new year.” Some people go to the mountains, on the tops of which they meet the first sunrise of the new year, others go to visit close friends and relatives.
New Year according to the lunar calendar.
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New Year is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese (Lunar) calendar. Festivals and celebrations dedicated to this holiday last 15 days. The Lunar New Year is often called “Chinese” because its celebration spread throughout Asia, and later throughout the world, precisely from the Celestial Empire. 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 religions.
New Year's dinner is the main New Year's tradition. Moreover, there should be as much as possible on the table more dishes. According to tradition, on the festive night the spirits of ancestors are present at the table and are full participants in the celebration. On all subsequent days, it is customary to visit relatives and friends with congratulations. Also during this period, traditional mass celebrations are held - costume 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 beginning of the 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, demonstrating to the world the Koreans' desire for sovereignty.
Arbor Day (Kor. Sikmogil) was established in connection with the Park Chung Hee government's campaign to restore Korean forests. As we 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 South Koreans take part in landscaping their areas and 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”. Nowadays, people celebrate Hansik by associating it with the invitation of warm weather that will thaw the frozen earth. On Hansik Day, from the very morning, Korean families visit the graves of their ancestors. Since Arbor Day is celebrated on the same day, cemeteries are filled with loved ones and relatives planting trees around graves. In non-leap years, Hansik falls on the 105th day after the winter solstice. At this time of year, the sky becomes cleaner and clearer, farmers go out to the fields to throw the first seeds into the ground and water the rice plots.
It is believed that the tradition of eating 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 public educator Bang Jong-Hwan, who proposed adopting May 1 as Children's Day. Since 1946, the holiday began to be celebrated on May 5, and became a day off in 1975. In all cities and villages, mass entertainment events and sports competitions are held, the heroes of which, of course, are children.
Buddha's Birthday is celebrated in some East Asian countries 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 host 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 available space. On Buddha's Birthday, many temples host charity dinners and tea, to which all interested 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, Constitution Day was approved on October 1, 1948 after the law on public holidays of the country was introduced. The first Republic of 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 are held except for official celebrations in Seoul and major cities of South Korea. Also, over the years, marathon races held in different parts of the country have become traditional.
Historical reference.
The history of South Korea begins with the Soviet-American agreement in the late summer of 1945 on the division of spheres of influence on the peninsula. According to this agreement, the part of Korea south of the 38th parallel came under the jurisdiction of the United States, while the northern part came under the jurisdiction Soviet Union. The country's history alternated between periods of democratic and authoritarian governance. 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 of Chuseok, the day of the full moon, is probably the holiday that all residents of modern Korea look 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 spent getting ready and on the road. The culmination of the holiday is the middle day - the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The highways are filled with endless lines of cars, and almost all businesses and shops are closed for three days. Families gather together, pay tribute to deceased relatives and visit their graves. Everyone is eager to celebrate the Chuseok holiday in their native places. Bookings for plane and train tickets are usually made in advance several months before the holiday. Chuseok, along with Seollal, is one of the most important holidays of the year, a celebration of the harvest and gratitude to the earth for its bounty. 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. Founding Day is one of the 5 national holidays established by the National Holidays Act of 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 lord who turned into a bear woman and allegedly founded the state of Ancient Joseon (Gojoseon). On the day of the festival, a simple ceremony is performed at the altar at the top of Mani Mountain on Ganghwa-do Island. According to legend, this altar was placed there by Tangun himself as a sign 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 October since 2000, where the best pyrotechnics in the world create a unique atmosphere of celebration and beauty.
Teams of fireworks specialists from different countries. Here they show the audience not only spectacular fireworks, but also the latest developments in the field of pyrotechnic technology and fireworks art.
The history of fireworks (“fireworks” means “fire action”) goes back hundreds of years. Since ancient times, many peoples have decorated their holidays with fire and light effects - initially these were large bonfires or many small lights. But written sources of the past have preserved little information about such light spectacles of different peoples.
A radical revolution in the art of creating and controlling pyrotechnic fire certainly occurred when the wise Chinese invented gunpowder and began to widely use it not only in military affairs, but also in celebrations. Although the exact date of invention is unknown, the Chinese used bamboo crackers to drive away evil spirits even before the 9th century.
In Europe and Russia, the use of gunpowder for artillery was already known by the mid-14th century. Almost simultaneously, it began to be used for making fireworks. The best masters Italians were rightfully considered in this art in the 14th-15th centuries. Luxurious and expensive fireworks were arranged, as a rule, on especially solemn occasions, such as the coronation of reigning persons, their birthdays, major Religious holidays. Illumination was becoming increasingly popular at that time, and at the beginning of the 16th century, the first book on pyrotechnics and fireworks was even published, authored by Vanocchio Beringucci. He also owns the saying: “Fireworks last no longer than a lover’s kiss, but it costs more than maintaining a mistress.” Thus, starting from the 16th century, fireworks can be spoken of as a form of mass entertainment art. In Russia, fireworks began to be arranged at the state level under Ivan the Terrible. Then the position of “powder manager” was even introduced in the rifle regiment, whose duties, in addition to the military, also included the manufacture and launching of fireworks. At the court of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, a special “amusing chamber” was established, which organized various entertainments, including “fire 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 were already able to produce and organize “fire shows” no worse than their foreign colleagues. The activities of the rocket establishment founded by Peter I made it possible to significantly improve the quality and variety of pyrotechnic compositions.
Gradually, fire-light performances improved and, eventually, became what we now call fireworks. All over the world, the love for fireworks does not cool down for a second. Various festivals held in many countries play a major role in their popularization. But, perhaps, one of the most grandiose events of this kind is the fireworks festival in Seoul - an event of international scale that anyone can see.
This an important event in the world of amateur and professional pyrotechnicians, it traditionally takes place in the Korean capital on Saturday evenings (usually from 19 to 22 hours) on the banks of the Han River, in a park on Yeoido Island. Teams from different countries of the world - Japan, China, Korea, USA, Australia, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong and others - present their fireworks to the audience. Interestingly, each team performs a show with a unique national theme. Moreover, this entire enchanting fiery spectacle takes place to the music. Pyrotechnic displays are accompanied by musical works of various genres, including rock, pop music and immortal works of classical composers. In total, 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, in addition, during the festival you can watch beautiful laser shows, an amazing light show, performances by artists and popular Korean pop stars. There are a lot of festivals in Korea during the fall, and since it's also harvest time, festivals always have plenty of tasty treats to keep visitors fueled up while having fun. The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which lights up the Korean capital's autumn skyline with bright lights and attracts more than a million visitors every year, is undoubtedly the most vibrant and spectacular. After all, fireworks are an amazing and stunning spectacle. He lives for a few moments, but always remains in the memory for a long time as a companion to the holiday and joyful mood.
On October 9, South Korea celebrates Hangul Proclamation Day. Primordial alphabet Korean language called Hangul, and today they celebrate its creation and proclamation in the country by King Sejong the Great.
King Sejong unveiled the publication of a document introducing the new alphabet in 1446 in the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In 1926, the Korean Alphabet Society (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 claims were received, which noted that in 1449 the Julian calendar was in circulation.
In 1940, the original source of the document was discovered, reporting 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 according to the Julian calendar. In 1945, the South Korean government officially set the Korean Alphabet Proclamation Day on October 9th. This day became a day off for government employees. The day lost its status as a public holiday in 1991 under pressure from a large number of employers who opposed the increase. non-working days. But, nevertheless, Korean Alphabet Day still retains its national status. holiday. The Korean Alphabet Society advocates for the revival of the celebration at the state level, but so far with insufficient persistence. As before, Korean Writing Day celebrates a variety of holiday events dedicated to national culture and literature. Many overseas linguists and Korean language lovers also join in the festivities.
Christmas is a great holiday established in remembrance of 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 Christians celebrating Christmas dates back to the 4th century. The question of the real date of 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 this day, which was filled with new content after the adoption of Christianity in Rome.
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 winter solstice. The Feast of the Nativity of Christ has five days of pre-celebration (from December 20 to 24) and six days of post-celebration. On the eve or day of the eve of the holiday (December 24), a particularly strict fast is observed, called Christmas Eve, since on this day it is eaten lusciously- 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, the custom arose of displaying in churches for worship a manger in which a figurine of the Infant Jesus was placed. Over time, mangers began to be placed before Christmas not only in churches, but also in homes. Homemade santons - models in glass boxes depict a grotto, and the baby Jesus lies in a manger. Next to him are the Mother of God, Joseph, an angel, shepherds who came to worship, as well as animals - a bull and 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 - visiting the homes of children and youth with songs and good wishes. In return, carolers receive gifts: sausage, roasted chestnuts, fruits, eggs, pies, and sweets. Stingy owners are ridiculed and threatened with trouble. 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 remnants of the pagan cult of the sun at Christmas time are evidenced by the tradition of lighting a ritual fire in the home hearth - the “Christmas log”. The log was solemnly, observing various ceremonies, brought into the house, set on fire, at the same time saying a prayer and carving a cross on it (an attempt to reconcile the pagan rite with the Christian religion). They sprinkled the log with grain, poured honey, wine and oil on it, put pieces of food on it, addressed it as a living being, and raised glasses of wine in its honor. During the celebration of Christmas, a custom has been 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 of installing decorated spruce trees in homes. This pagan tradition originated among the Germanic peoples, in whose rituals spruce was a symbol of life and fertility. With the spread of Christianity among the peoples of Central and Northern Europe, the spruce tree decorated with multi-colored balls acquired new symbolism: it began to be installed in homes on December 24, as a symbol of the tree of paradise with abundant fruits.
