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| Residents shop for Chuseok groceries at an open-air market in front of Eunpyeong-gu Office, Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Eunpyeong-gu Office |
By Lee Suh-yoon
Chuseok, Korea's version of Thanksgiving Day, is just around the corner.
This year, the traditional holiday will take place from Sept. 12 to 15. But for those who don't leave Seoul to visit relatives in other regions, the city will host various markets and community events.
For most households, Chuseok requires the preparation of a dozen different dishes for ancestral rites and a family feast. As many shops close over the holiday, grocery shopping must be done in advance. To meet these needs, the annual open-air Chuseok market will be held at Seoul Plaza from Friday to next Monday, showcasing fresh produce from over 220 farms in 14 partner regions. According to organizers, the produce will be sold at a discount compared to retail stores.
Shopping won't be the only available activity at the market. Visitors will also get a chance to make "songpyeon," half-moon-shaped rice cakes that are a staple of the Chuseok table. A special parade is planned on Friday afternoon, led by mask dances and traditional percussion performances. On Saturday, the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul will face off in a group tug-of-war match on the grass. On Sunday, a special ring will be set up on the plaza for a competition of Korean folk wrestling, or "ssireum."
Eunpyeong-gu, Gangbuk-gu and Guro-gu also held similar open-air markets this week with partnering regions outside Seoul. Yeongdong, Dogok and Gaepo traditional markets in Gangnam-gu will also offer Chuseok-themed concerts and games to draw shoppers.
Though not directly related to the holiday, another community-led market will be held at Cheonggye Plaza from Friday to Saturday. Residents from 83 Seoul neighborhoods partaking in the city's housing rejuvenation project will sell homemade sauce pastes, handicrafts and snacks. An information booth will be set up to teach visitors about D.I.Y. house repair.
Traditional Chuseok celebrations will be held throughout the city for tourists and those who prefer to stay in the capital over the holiday. The main venues will be the outdoor plazas in front of Seoul History Museum, Namsangol Hanok Village, Seoul Baekje Museum and City Hall.
