By Honorary Reporter Dayviana Diaz from Cuba
Photos = Dayviana Diaz

On Jan. 25, I attended a Seollal (Lunar New Year) celebration at the Marcelo Salado Social Club organized by the Korean Cultural Center and Language School of Cuba. 

Marking the Year of the Blue Snake, the event featured activities highlighting traditional and pop Korean culture and was sponsored by the Office of Koreans Abroad, Raydel HDL Museum, Association of Koreans in Cuba, K-mart and Association of Korean Descendants.

First was traditional folk games like jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking) and paengi chigi (top spinning). A Hanbok (traditional clothing) event allowed people to try on the outfits with assistance. 

The climax was playing Red Light, Green Light, a game that gained global popularity through the hit Netflix series "Squid Game."

Members of the National Taekwondo School of Cuba were also invited to give a demonstration. In addition, Korean-language students taking taekwondo classes also showed their progress in the martial art.

The second half of the event was a delicious meal of traditional cuisines from both countries like arroz moro, roast pork and yuca con mojo of Cuba and japchae (glass noodles with stir-fried vegetables), gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and kimchi of Korea.

 

At the end of the event, visitors received gifts from the school donated by Korean entities and individuals.

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.