2011 Seoul Lantern Festival Held to Boast the History & Tradition of the City

Published on 2011/11/04 | Source

Around 30-thousand lanterns are lighting up this autumn night in Seoul with color.
This year's Seoul Lantern Festival kicked off this evening and will run for 17 days at Cheonggyecheon in central Seoul under the theme "Stories of Seoul's Past through Lanterns".
During the festival, visitors can enjoy looking at lanterns that feature the city's history and traditions.

[Interview : Jeong Han-sol, Student] "I came all the way from Naju in South Jeolla Province to visit this festival. The lanterns are very beautiful".

[Interview : Matt, Tourist] "I feel that it's very beautiful and it shows a lot about Korean history and Korean culture".

The festival also features lanterns from 20 different countries, including Japan and the Philippines.
Some of the lanterns depict Korean court music, which is designated as UNESCO intangible world heritage, and Sungnyemun, the historic gate in the center of Seoul.

[Reporter : Hwang Ji-hye, emilyfwang@arirang.co.kr] "This lantern. half the size of the original Sungnyemun is exhibited between the Gwangtong and Mojeon Bridges and even has the delicate pattern known as 'dancheong', the traditional multicolored paintwork found on wooden buildings".

Officials from Seoul Metropolitan Government expect the festival to become a worldwide event.

[Interview : Park Jae-ho, General Director Seoul Lantern Festival] "We will develop this event by perfectly re-creating the lantern festival during the Chosun Dynasty and attract tourists from around the world".

A wide range of events including lantern making are also being held during the festival and the lights will be lit up everyday between 5 and 11PM.

Hwang Ji-hye, Arirang News.