By Honorary Reporter Agnieszka Kowalczyk from Poland
Photos = Agnieszka Kowalczyk

Many locals and foreign visitors on Jan. 29 celebrated Seollal (Lunar New Year), one of Korea's two biggest holidays, at SWPS University in Warsaw, Poland. Organized by the school's students in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center, the event attracted major interest from those interested in the tradition.

Presentation on Seollal

Traditionally, Seollal is a time for families to reunite and spend time with one another. A key custom done on the holiday is sebae, where younger family members prostrate to elders as a sign of respect. Another is eating tteokguk (rice cake soup), as tradition says eating a bowl adds a year to one's age. 

Making traditional lanterns

Starting things off was a presentation on Seollal and its customs and traditions. The highlight was a reenactment of sebae by SWPS students, who explained each step of the ritual and how it differs by gender.

Then came a traditional lantern workshop that allowed me to make one for the first time. Some like me struggled a bit in folding each part, but the result was rewarding. Afterward, all participants posed for a group photo.

Playing traditional games and trying on Hanbok

Other visitors played traditional games. To my surprise, many knew how to play them after seeing the hit Netflix series "Squid Game." 

The games were gonggi (jacks), ddakji (paper tile flipping), tuho (pitch-pot), yunnori (stick-throwing board game) and jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking). For those good at all five events, traditional snacks were given as prizes. 

Visitors sampled traditional snacks and beverages and also tried on Hanbok and took photos. This event attracted a lot of attraction given the relative lack of opportunities to do so in Poland. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.