In-person springtime festivals return nationwide amid eased social distancing

The Lotus Lantern Festival's iconic parade takes place in downtown Seoul, Saturday, after a two-year hiatus, as participants march from Heunginjimun Gate to Jogye Temple to celebrate Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8. Yonhap

By Park Han-sol

With Korea's social distancing measures mostly eased and the outdoor mask mandate to be lifted effective on Monday, in-person religious and cultural festivals are making their return nationwide to celebrate spring.

One of the highlights of this weekend was marked by the iconic Lotus Lantern Parade in Seoul on Saturday evening, held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the annual festivities ahead of Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8 this year.

More than 35,000 Buddhists and non-Buddhists were estimated to have taken part in the centuries-old march, illuminating downtown Seoul from Heunginjimun Gate all the way to Jogye Temple with lanterns of various hues, shapes and sizes, according to its organizer, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

This year marks the first time the festival, known as "Yeondeunghoe" in Korean, has returned in its grand scale since being inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

In addition to Saturday's procession, followed by outdoor theatrical performances and workshops the next day, the Exhibition of Traditional Lanterns will run until May 11. Thousands of lanterns made of "hanji," or Korean paper made from the bark of mulberry trees, symbolizing Buddha's wisdom, have pepped up two major temples ― Jogye and Bongeun in southern Seoul ― as well as Cheonggye Stream to keep the festive spirit alive.

Residents of Busan can enjoy their own edition of the jubilee, the Busan Lotus Lantern Festival, held at Busan Citizens Park and Song Sang-hyeon Square until May 8.

A child makes a bowl at the Mungyeong Chasabal Festival in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, in this provided photo. Courtesy of Mungyeong City

In the North Gyeongsang provincial city of Mungyeong ― a city that is famous for traditional tea bowls and that houses the "Mangdaengi" kiln, the oldest existing kiln in Korea built in 1843 ― the ongoing Mungyeong Chasabal Festival attracted over 20,000 spectators on its opening day alone on Saturday.

The festival, nestled in the village that is home to the country's leading ceramic masters, runs through May 8 under the theme of "Thousand-Year-Old Flame Held in Tea Bowls."

Hundreds of festival-goers headed to exhibitions featuring ceramic wares produced by local artisans and potters across the country. Selected tea bowls will also be made available for sale at in-person auctions and online for the duration of the fair.

Another popular cultural event that is once again crowded with springtime tourists after two years is the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival in South Jeolla Province.

The annual fete, known for drawing at least 300,000 visitors a year, has already seen some 12,000 sightseers since its opening on Friday.

The main venue is festooned with 500,000 rainbow-like spring flowers, including Surfinia and French marigolds, to attract radiant waves of 220,000 butterflies until May 8.

Children release butterflies at Hampyeong Expo Park in South Jeolla Province, Friday, a day before the opening of this year's Hampyeong Butterfly Festival. Newsis

The Gangneung Danoje Festival, commonly referred to as the "festival of a thousand years," will be held in the Gangwon provincial city from May 30 to June 6.

It is another event inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognized for "the coexistence of Confucian, shamanistic and Buddhist rituals," and is said to date back to the 918-1392 Goryeo Kingdom.

Its signature elements like the outdoor Nanjang Market, "ssireum" (Korean wrestling) and "sintongdaegil" (a type of playful street parade) are expected to return this year.

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