By Ochiaka Ugwu
Korean Cultural Centre, Nigeria (KCCN) hosted Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year and one of the most meaningful holidays of the year in Abuja to strengthen Korea, Nigeria cultural ties.
The event, held Tuesday at the Korea Cultural Centre, Abuja brought together Nigerians in their numbers and members of the Korean community for a fun-filled celebration featuring games and a wide variety of Korean cuisine.
In her remarks, Event Manager of KCCN, Yunjin Lee described Seollal as the most significant cultural celebration in Korea, symbolising reunion, continuity and shared heritage for families.
Reflecting on bilateral ties, she noted that Seollal has great semblance with Christmas which was celebrated in Nigeria saying that the event will evolve into broad-based cooperation across cultures that would deepen mutual understanding between citizens of both countries.
According to her, “Today is the first day in Lunar calendar, new year in English. Seollal is celebrated in Korea because we use the Lunar Calendar. It is a time set aside for family to get together. In Korea, we bow to elderly ones hoping for good health and prosperity.
“It is also used as a time of communion as most people visit their parents to bond with them in the spirit of the celebration. Three days are always set aside for the celebration. The day before the celebration, the day of celebration and the day after are declared public holidays”.
She noted the celebration would be observed with some Korean games to be played by the audience like Jegi Chagi, Ddakji Chigi, Gonggi Nori and others.
“It has similarities with Christmas as families get around to bond and pray for good luck. The games also bring people together for a kind of reunion and unity of purpose”.
Yunjin stated that Korean cuisine would be served after the games notable among them was Rice-Cake-Soup.
She hopes to expend the event in coming years to enable more Nigerians attend for better Korean, Nigeria cultural fusion.
Culture, Events and Communications officer of KCCN, Jennifer Ezeonyeasi said Seollal was a Korean New Year when people were meant to come together reunite with their families, discuss their common issues and wish each other good luck.
“We are replicating what Koreans are celebrating in Korea today as well, share their culture. They use Seollal as their family reunion; they sit together and play games which we are doing here today to commemorate the event.
“Some of the games here are quite similar with the games that will play here in Nigeria. It is an exchange as people can see the similarities with Nigeria, experience what Koreans do. The cultural exchange will be the communal spirit we share when we travel to meet our family members. We are making people eat what Koreans ordinarily will eat in an occasion like this” she said.
A student of Korean Language in Nigeria, Victor Mac-adonai who described the event as thrilling and exiting, said they played traditional Korean games which were not common in Nigeria.
“The games are a kind of similar with the games we play here in Nigeria which strengthens the bond of both cultures”.
He thanked KCCN for organizing the event saying it was amazing and impacting in all sense.
Deborah Olabelurin said the event had enabled her to experience more Korean culture by participating in the games.
She thanked KCCN for putting the event together stating that it would go a long way in strengthening Nigeria, Korean ties.
A Korean culture enthusiast, Ikechukwu Ibe said the event was very lively given the fact that the games were more interactive and uniting in all ramifications.
He thanked Korean Centre for putting the event together which he termed as a good initiative.
The event featured traditional Korean games and guests were given Korean traditional cuisines with many expressing optimism the partnership with Korea would continue to translate diplomatic goodwill into inclusive growth and shared prosperity for Nigerians and Koreans.
Recall that Seollal is Korean Lunar New Year where families gather to honour their ancestors, share traditional meals, and wish one another good fortune for the year ahead.
It is also a time of renewal, gratitude, and togetherness, celebrated with special foods, customs, and games passed down through generations.
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