The spirit of Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, came alive on 17 February as the Korean Cultural Centre India held a vibrant cultural gathering at its centre in New Delhi. This was attended by over 90 students enrolled in its Korean language programmes for an event centered on tradition, reflection, and cultural exchange.

△  Marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year, Seollal is one of Korea’s most cherished holidays – a time for families to gather, pay respects to elders, share blessings, and look ahead with hope.  A group of participants holding New Year wish cards.

△ The event began with an introduction to Seollal customs, including family greetings, the traditional New Year’s bow (sebae), the sharing of words of blessing (deokdam), and the significance of eating tteokguk (rice cake soup). The representative students and the Korean language instructor demonstrated how to perform a deep bow in front of the participants.

△ Participants were guided through the cultural meanings behind these traditions, helping them understand how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in Korea. Participants also learned and practiced the deep bow themselves, creating a truly heartfelt moment.

△ The highlight of the celebration was the Full Moon Wish-Making Ceremony. A luminous image of the full moon was projected in the auditorium, recreating the spirit of the first full moon of the lunar year. The students write down their wishes for the year on special wish cards, reflecting on personal goals, gratitude, and dreams for the future.