5.26.2011

Lotus Lantern Festival

Lotus Lantern Festival is an annual event for the purpose of celebrating Buddha's birthday. According to Buddhist belief, the lighting of a lotus-shaped lantern symbolizes a devotion to performing good deeds and lighting up the dark parts of the world that are filled with agony. In Korea, it was held in downtown Seoul from May 6~8, 2011. Thousands of hanging lanterns lit up the city and temples. Although I could only see the final ceremony on the last day, I really enjoyed watching the festival. It was the greatest festival I have ever watched! These are the places that I visited during the festival:

Gwanghamun Square

Although there was no lantern festival in this place, but some people still came here to see the greatest statute of King Sejong, who promulgated the Korean written language, Hangeul. A statute of Korea's greatest naval hero, Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, also stands in the middle of the square surrounded by water fountains which shoot into the air. The water fountains seemed so nice and fresh.


Jogyesa Temple

Actually, I also wanted to go to City Hall to see Seoul Friendship Affair, but the time was limited. So I went directly to Jogyesa Temple to see the lanterns. In front of the temple, there were so many tents onsite selling and offering a lot of different things. Many people, including foreigners, came to see and join making the lotus lantern and lotus flower. Luckily, they separated the tent into two parts, for Korean and foreigners. They explained the instruction in English so it was easy for me to understand. I tried to make both lotus lantern and lotus flower with a little help from azumma, a Korean old woman. My fingers were all sticky because of the rice glue. The lantern was quite simple to make but the flower was so difficult that finally azumma made a new one for me. :D




After making lotus lantern and flower, I went to the the temple. I was amazed by the 1000 stunning lanterns hanging in the air. Lanterns with so many different colors were absolutely beautiful! After taking some pictures, I saw some group of people were bringing different instruments with different clothes. Some of them were bringing lanterns, lotus flowers, Korean traditional percussion instruments, Samulnori. At that time I just realized that they would have a parade along the street, so I waited for the parade outside of the temple until around 6 PM.


After waiting for 1 hour, finally the parade was begun. It was a great parade with so many group of people wearing beautiful clothes and bringing awesome lanterns. I could not take picture easily because they were moving and walking along the street towards another street, Insadong street.


Following the parade until Insadong street, I had dinner with my friend there. After dinner, I walked towards another street, Jongno street. We saw a big stage and some lanterns along the street. Many people, especially those who had performed in the parade along the road, were there. They were dancing and performing different performances. I saw a local TV channel was broadItaliccasting the show. At the last performance, they asked audiences and foreigners to dance together. I also joined them dancing, it was totally fun!


This festival was so amazing that I can not write into words. I will definitely watch lotus lantern festival again next year! ^^

TLBU Field Study

From April 15~16, 2011 all TLBU first year graduate students participated in 2011 Field Studies in Korea which is a special annual program. On April 15, 2011 students visited Korea’s largest steel maker POSCO (the Pohang Iron and Steel Company) in Pohang City. Pohang is POSCO’s first project while the other project is a new plant in Gwangyang. After arriving at POSCO, the employees welcomed us with friendly smile. The slogan of POSCO “Resources are limited, creativity is unlimited” on the entrance building caught students’ attention. After watching a fabulous video presentation of POSCO, students got a better picture of POSCO’s history and development.



The last place to visit was the Museum of POSCO History. Students had an easy access to see many pictures and videos demonstrating more detailed information about POSCO there. After all of these, students learned not only the amazing development of POSCO but also POSCO’s outstanding environmentally friendly vision.


On the next day, students went to Gyeongju Bomun Tour Complex. There, students were amazed by a lot of beautiful cherry blossoms. Enjoying the wonderful scenery, students were deeply touched by the culture and atmosphere of Gyeongju City as well as having great fun.




I was very happy during Field Study because I could spend time together with my classmates. We spent one night in Gyeongju by having a small party in the hostel. I still remember some of my friends played "truth or dare" games and forced the losers to tell the truth about their privacies (I was glad I did not join the games). This field study was one of the best memories in my life. I will keep on my mind forever. By the way, I have uploaded 200 pictures taken from Field Study on Facebook. We were crazy about taking pictures! :D