By Israa Mohamed

Korean Cultural Centers (KCCs) spanning Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world will mark Seollal (Lunar New Year) with many events celebrating gapjinnyeon (Year of the Blue Dragon) under the Asian zodiac.

Some 35 KCCs in 30 countries have officially announced on their websites and social media accounts their plans this month to hold cultural events for Seollal, one of Korea's two biggest holidays. The activities include making tteokguk (rice cake soup), wearing Hanbok (traditional attire) and watching musical performances including samulnori (traditional percussion music).

In Jakarta, Indonesia, Seollal Week runs from Feb. 6-12 at the KCC's overseas promotion center KOREA 360. Jointly hosted by the KCC and the Indonesia business arm of the Korea Creative Content Agency, the event includes writing New Year's wishes through Hangeul calligraphy, crafting bokjori (traditional rice strainers) and tasting tteokguk.

In Osaka, Japan, the KCC there through Feb. 10 is hosting a Seollal interactive hall. This immersive facility offers hands-on activities and a gallery of works like photos, videos and miniatures related to keywords of Seollal like seolbim, or the tradition of donning new clothes on New Year's Day, sehwa (traditional folk painting) and magpies. 

In New York, the KCC there on Feb. 24 will start the two-day event "K-Family Fest: Celebrate Seollal" in Manhattan's Koreatown. The events include the live musical performance "Seollal is Korean New Year," author Aram Kim reading her book "Tomorrow is New Year's Day" and making baram tteok (half-moon-shaped rice cake). 

KCCs across Europe will share diverse facets of Seollal culture. For those who registered ahead, the center in Sweden on Feb. 9 hosts events for making dumplings and playing traditional games, while that in Spain from Feb. 12-23 holds an interactive Hanbok event where visitors learn how to wear the traditional costumes. 

In the Middle East and Africa, KCCs there will promote Seollal and its traditional culture. The South African branch on Feb. 9 holds events explaining Seollal, traditional games and dumpling making. 

The KCC in Egypt on Feb. 6 hosted an event to celebrate Seollal as part of its "Ahlan Korea" (Welcome Korea) initiative for first-year students majoring in Korean at Ain Shams University in Cairo. They played traditional games such as yunnori, made tteokguk and wore Hanbok. 

Visit the official websites or social media accounts of the KCC in each country for more information on events.


ess8@korea.kr