Seollal 2024
February 10th is the celebration of Seollal, also known as Korean Lunar New Year.
What is Seollal?
Is a national festival and holiday that commemorates the first day of the lunisolar calendar. Iconic holiday in Korean culture, celebrated in both North and South Korea, and also to the Korean community all around the globe.
Seollal is a familiar time. Most Koreans go visit their relatives to perform ancestral rites, eat and play games together. This date usually goes from January or February, after the second moon after winter solstice.
History:
The earliest attestation of Seollal is found in The Book of Wei, and dates from the 7th century Chinese historical works: Book of Suim and Old Book of Tang, where there are explanations of the national rituals and festivities in Sila. But the information that is still surviving can be found in the Samguk yusa, from the 13th century. According to Korean historical work, this New Year was one of the nine major Korean festivals that include ancestral rites. In 1910, Japan prohibited the celebration of Selloal due to their annexation with Korea, but the Korean Government in 1945 proclaimed the first three days of January as a national holiday.
How is it celebrated?
Charye- The idea would be creating a ceremony table, giving the opportunity to bring a picture of somebody that is not here anymore and paste it on some wall, so everyone can make a memorial of them. We can include typical Korean food and typical Korean elements.
Sebae - As we cannot do an actual “sebae” , I propose to do a gratitude wall, or put a box where everyone can write their wishes and hopes for the following year, as well as ask for others, and wish them the best. That will help people to reflect about their life and value it fully, and be grateful with what they have.
Decorations with Bokjori, to bring good luck and fortune to everyone.
Food spot: New Years is also celebrated with food, is a good moment gather with your family and closest friends and enjoy a good Korean meal.
Demonstration of typical games: Yeon, Jegichagi, Neoltwigi