Participants in 2019 play the traditional Korean game tuho (arrow throwing) during a Chuseok event hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt. (KCC in Egypt)

By Kim Hyelin 

To mark Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) aka Hangawi, Korean Cultural Centers (KCCs) around the globe will host a variety of cultural events.

A combined 21 KCCs and culture and information officers in 19 countries will host such events to mark the holiday, the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Sept. 7.

In Asia, the KCC in Osaka, Japan, is hosting through Sept. 17 the exhibition "Chuseok, Abundance, Wishes" (unofficial translation) and an interactive event for making songpyeon (half moon-shaped rice cakes) on Sept. 10. That in Thailand on Sept. 9 will invite Korean War veterans and their descendants to an event for trying on Hanbok (traditional clothing). And the KCC in Hong Kong will host the kimchi sampling event "Kimchi Experience Workshop" on Sept. 14, 21, 24 and 27.

In Europe, the KCC in Germany on Sept. 12 will host a concert of Jongmyo Jeryeak, or royal ancestral ritual music played at Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul.

The KCC in Turkey on Sept. 10 will host an event featuring traditional folk games such as jegichagi (kicking a shuttlecock) and archery in which participants form teams and wear uniforms from the Netflix blockbuster series "Squid Game." 

These are posters for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) events to be hosted by the KCC in Osaka, Japan (left), and that in Turkey. (KOCIS)

In the U.S., the KCC in Los Angeles on Sept. 10 will host "Korean Culture Day" (unofficial translation) to teach the differences between Chuseok and American Thanksgiving and offer folk games. The KCC in Washington on the same day will host "Family Day: Celebration of Textiles, Korea" featuring traditional performing arts like pansori (lyrical opera), barachum (Buddhist ritual dance) and drum percussion and interactive events like making traditional lanterns.

In Africa, the KCC in Nigeria on Sept. 8 will host a ssireum (traditional wrestling) tournament for Hallyu fans to introduce them to the traditional form of wrestling, which is designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

KOCIS Director Kim Jangho said, "In welcoming Chuseok, which celebrates and shares abundance, we hope that residents of (KCC) host countries experience and grow more familiar with traditional Korean culture and customs."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr