Extravaganza of light

Every year, in honor of the birth of Buddha, a colorful lantern festival is held in Seoul. This vibrant spectacle attracts not only Buddhists, but also tourists from all over the world.

Every morning of the festival begins with prayer. Holding lotus-shaped lanterns in their hands, festival participants go out into the streets and make a wish.

These days there are exhibitions where a myriad of handmade lanterns are presented.

During the day, master classes are held for everyone. Monks who speak European languages ​​will teach you how to make a national luminous miracle with your own hands. You will also discover the art of traditional Korean patterns. You will be shown not only the features of drawing, but also engraving.

You can also attend open practical classes on Zen meditation. Here you will learn the science of immersing yourself in the depths of your “I” and cleansing yourself of unnecessary, fussy emotions. Excellent well-being of soul and body is guaranteed to you.

After lunch, the Jongno area is filled with music. Children in national clothes “hanbok” perform on the streets. They play instruments and sing folk songs.

Concerts by Buddhist monks are also very popular. Korean monks are very educated. They not only sing beautifully and play national instruments, but also perform ritual dances! If you want to see everything with your own eyes, you will have to arrive early and take a seat. Otherwise, there will be so many spellbound spectators that you won’t be able to look at the wondrous spectacle.

But that's not all. At the festival you will get acquainted with the national performances “Phunmulnori”. – This is a complex and very beautiful performance, where actors dance and perform acrobatic sketches to the sounds of traditional music.

At 19.00 the brightest and most long-awaited part of the celebration begins. A glowing lantern parade runs from Dongdaemun Stadium to Jogyesa Temple. Some make elegant lotus-shaped lanterns that fit in the palm of your hand. Others create giant lamps in the shape of a dragon and other fairy-tale creatures. The size of some “flashlights” is so large that only a few dozen people can carry them!

Cars also take part in the parade. They are ridden by huge luminous elephants, dragons and sculptures depicting Buddha.

At the end of the procession, the epicenter of the celebration becomes a square strewn with pink lanterns. Here, in front of Jogyesa Temple, songs and dances last until late at night.

“Flocks” of cars on the central streets give way to the participants of the holiday.

Jongno itself, instead of the abode of humming cars, turns into a kingdom of colorful, fancy lanterns decorating the city. So Seoul at night is literally buried in colorful fairy lights and neon sparks of fireworks.

Date: May 14 – 23.

Location: Seoul, Jongno district and Ponginsa Temple on Samson-dong.