Newly listed Intangible Cultural Heritage fetes Buddha’s birth


The annual “Yeon Deung Hoe,” or lotus lantern festival, will kick off its three-day run on May 18 in Seoul to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on May 28 this year.

What makes this year’s event more special than previous years, is that the festival was designated an intangible cultural heritage by the Cultural Heritage Administration last month.

The first form of the festival dates back to Korea’s Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.), and has been held on the day of Daeboreum ― a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the lunar calendar. The religious ceremony now takes place annually in Seoul on the Sunday before Buddha’s Birthday.

This year’s festival includes exhibitions of traditional Korean lanterns, street and stage performances, a Buddhist cheer rally and a massive lantern parade along Jongro street ― from Dongdaemun to Jogye Temple. 

“Most programs are family-oriented, so bring your families and loved ones and immerse yourselves in the festival’s spiritual ambience and energetic togetherness which you won’t be able to experience anywhere else,” said officials from the Celebration Committee for Buddha’s Birthday, affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the nation’s largest Buddhist sect.

Exhibition of traditional lanterns made of hanji, or traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark, will be on display at Bongeun Temple near Samseong Station, Subway Line No. 2, from May 18-28.

Hundreds of Buddhists dressed in hanbok holding lanterns will participate in the lantern parade from Dongdaemun to Jogye Temple, along Jongno street, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on May 19. The lantern parade participants and spectators are invited to an outdoor stage at Jonggak Intersection where Buddhist artists plan to stage performances from 9:30 pm to 11 p.m.

On May 20, a variety of performances will be held on the street in front of Jogye Temple. From noon to 6 p.m., several events will take place there including a mini class on how to make lotus lanterns and other Buddhist art and crafts. Visitors will also have opportunities to try temple food, take meditation lessons and play traditional Korean folk games.

“Yeondeungnori,” the grand finale of the festival, will take place from 7-9 p.m. in Insa-dong and nearby streets leading up to the Jogye Temple. Accompanied by performances groups, the event also features a mini lantern parade, offering one more chance to appreciate the beauty of Buddhist lanterns.

For more information about the festival, call (02)2011-1744 or visit www.llf.or.kr/eng.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)