Public holidays in South Korea. Holidays in South Korea

The population of South Korea lives according to the Gregorian calendar. However, most traditional holidays are celebrated according to the 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. In addition, if an official holiday in South Korea falls on a weekend, the day off will not be transferred.

Winter holidays

New Year 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 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 in South Korea is celebrated 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 the autumn full moon festival, 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.

Happy New Year everyone! Have you noticed that some Asian “tricks” are becoming more and more relevant and even fashionable here? Rolls, yoga, martial arts like taekwondo or judo... We adopt more and more cultural fragments, improving and improving. Are you ready to celebrate the upcoming holiday just like our favorite cosmetics creators? Let's see how the New Year is celebrated in Korea, and what its residents do on this magical, ancient, long-awaited holiday!

January 1st in Korea

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

The holiday itself is celebrated more as a tribute to world culture, rather than a sincere desire to celebrate the calendar New Year and spend the Outgoing Year. It is celebrated mainly by young people, who learn with interest the experience of other countries. From December 31 to January 1, many boys and girls are in entertainment places - clubs, restaurants, parks. For the older generation, these are ordinary days off, of which hardworking Koreans, by the way, have very few.

Christmas in Korea

Like in the United States, Koreans celebrate Christmas on December 25th. And they do it with more enthusiasm than on the calendar New Year! What is not surprising is that there are many Christians living in the country. It is for this day that Christmas trees are decorated, houses are decorated and Santa Clauses get ready. By the way, on January 1, the streets of South Korea are full of festive New Year signs and tinsel only thanks to this holiday. Christmas is considered the most suitable day for the following “missions”:

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

On the eve of an important winter holiday, Koreans stock up on gifts, decorate buildings and churches, and organize 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 this is the end of January or February. The scale of the holiday is so important for the country that previously, as many as 14 days off were allocated for it! Now there are only 3 of them, but Koreans, not spoiled by a break from work, are happy with this.

The connection between generations is very important in the New Year, so it is celebrated only with family. It is believed that even departed ancestors visit their relatives on this day and celebrate the holiday 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;
• a trip to visit 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. Apartments are decorated with images of a chicken and a tiger, which are supposed to protect the home from evil spirits and attract prosperity.

It is interesting that the age of every Korean resident increases not on his birthday, but on New Year's Day. It seems to me that this feature pleases children who strive to grow up as quickly as possible, but irritates women. ;)

What do Koreans give each other most often?

During New Year's celebrations, Koreans observe an important tradition - honoring their elders. Younger family members kneel 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 ones even manage to save up to study for several semesters at a university!

Young people exchange with each other not bows and money, but interesting gifts prepared for Christmas sales. Most often these are cosmetics, sets and interesting new products from Korean brands. This choice is associated with the indomitable desire for a perfect appearance, both among girls and boys. If you have not yet prepared gifts for your loved ones, look at the ideas for surprises in Asian style. After all, not only Koreans strive to look great!

Let's sum it up

Despite the fact that Korea is a dynamically developing country, its residents sacredly cherish and honor the cultural customs. The generally accepted New Year here has not replaced the usual Seollal, which has been 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. Rest assured, young residents of the country will happily share your mood!

And I am as faithful to family traditions as conservative Koreans, so I prepare for Olivier and jellied meat in the old fashioned way. I wish everyone a New Year's mood, a great holiday and long-awaited happiness! Your Vorobyova Nastya.

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.

The New Year according to the eastern calendar continues to be celebrated as a tribute to national traditions. Celebrated in February. Different cultural values ​​and context are noticeable in different approaches to these holidays, in organizational aspects, in how and with what the streets are decorated, what gifts are given and to whom, what symbols are used.

Christmas in South Korea is celebrated by about 30% of the population; this is exactly 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 a classic, oriental 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 (Zoil) is celebrated in many different ways, both in the family circle and in a very lavish way 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. In general, 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 it yourself. 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

A very unusual event that 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.

In South Korea, holidays are loved and celebrated on a grand scale. Therefore, if you manage to get to one of them, you will be very lucky. So, what holidays are celebrated in this country and when is the best time to go there to visit one of them?

The year begins on January 1, but this is only according to the generally accepted calendar. In fact, New Year in South Korea is not celebrated the same way as in Western countries or the United States. Of course, all the holiday attributes like Santa Clauses are around, and Koreans visit each other, greet the sunrise, wish everyone happiness and health, but the real New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar.

Each year the date of the holiday is calculated separately and falls in February-March. The scope of the holiday is amazing: festivities last for 15 days throughout the country, with dances and processions. A festive dinner is required, in which all family members participate, and various traditional dishes are present on the table.

Spring holidays in South Korea

Spring begins with the South Korean Independence Movement Day, which is celebrated on March 1st. As you might guess, it is timed to coincide with the beginning of the resistance movement and the declaration of independence from Japan in 1919. At the same time, the Declaration of Independence of South Korea appeared, which was announced in Pagoda Park, after which waves of resistance swept across the country.

In the spring, on April 5, a very interesting holiday takes place - Tree Planting Day. It appeared thanks to the South Korean government's campaign to restore the country's forests. In honor of this holiday, “subbotniks” for landscaping are held.

Around the same time, Hansik, one of the most significant festivals for Koreans, takes place. Literally it is translated as Cold food; on this holiday it is customary to visit the graves of ancestors. It is not known for certain where this tradition came from, but it is believed that the basis is in a Chinese legend. It is also often on this day that farmers go into the field to plant the first seeds.

There are two holidays in May: Children's Day on May 5 and Buddha's Birthday, which is calculated according to the lunar calendar. On Children's Day, which is a day off, various events and performances are held in which children are involved.

Buddha's birthday is also a holiday. The traditions of this holiday include visiting temples, holding religious processions, decorating the streets with lotus-shaped lanterns, and charity dinners.

Summer holidays in South Korea

Summer is not very rich in holidays; only July 17 is the Constitution Day, which was proclaimed in 1948. But it is not celebrated very grandly: some events and marathon races are held in the capital. For government employees and workers, it is a working day, although many private establishments, restaurants and cafes are also open.

Autumn holidays

On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September-October), the full moon day is celebrated, which is called Chuseok. On this holiday, it is customary to visit native places and the graves of ancestors, so all the roads are clogged with cars, and tickets are booked months in advance. The holiday lasts three days, which are weekends, so that people can visit their parents' home and spend time with loved ones.

In October, the most important holiday is celebrated - State Founding Day, which is a day off. It is dedicated to the date of formation of the first state in 2333 by Tangun, the king and demigod. Among the traditions of this holiday, one can note the ceremony on the top of Mount Mani, where, as a sign of gratitude to the ancestors, Tangun himself erected an altar, as the legend says.

Also in October, the International Fireworks Festival is held on the 8th. This is an international celebration that takes place in Seoul. Real masters of this art take part in this large-scale event. At the festival you will be able to see grandiose fireworks shows that amaze and delight. The roots of the festival go back centuries, when firecrackers were used to drive out evil spirits, and thanks to the development of technology, the holiday acquired new forms and scales. Every year, more than a million visitors come to Seoul to enjoy this amazing spectacle.

The festival is immediately followed by Hangeul Proclamation Day.

And the year ends with the Nativity of Christ on December 25 - one of the most important holidays celebrated not only by Catholics, but also by representatives of other denominations of Christianity. It is celebrated traditionally: a festive dinner, decorations, gifts, and a visit to the temple is obligatory. You can also meet carolers, to whom it is customary to give sweets, fruits, money, although this is more of a pagan tradition, which, nevertheless, has found a place in religion.