The Seoul Lantern Festival

The ‘Seoul Lantern Festival’ began in 2009 and has become a major event.  Held every November along the Cheonggyecheon stream (A beautifully reclaimed stream that runs through the city center, which has become an everyday gathering place. It’s modern sculptures, eight bridges carefully shape a paved walkway that meanders through the city) the festival attracts over 2 million people during the 2 weeks that it’s on.

This year’s lantern theme was “Stories of Seoul’s Past”.

Made from paper with electricity generated light, the maze of lanterns was fascinating. Many of the pieces stood between 3 to 5 metres high! Each piece was important in relaying a message about Korea’s culture, it’s values. We learned a great deal about the stories and history of Korea through the lanterns and narratives by each display.

People purchased small candle-lit lanterns, wrote messages (wishes) in them, and sent them floating down the stream. The crowds of people, floating lanterns moving in between the displays created a truly magnificent scene.

A section by local artists, lanterns of famous superheroes, along with lanterns from around the world finished the stunning trail. In total there were over 20,000 lanterns on display.

This peacocks wings flapped, tailed fanned and it blew fire out its beak 

Korean folk tale of two lovers that were separated by different worlds  - magpie and blackbird saved the day

Floating lanterns  

At no cost…not a bad way to spend a chilly Sunday evening learning more about Korea.

The WORLD CUP in Seoul

Koreans and Expats alike gathered across Seoul, in various venues, to enjoy the pool matches and finals of the Rugby World Cup.

The Grand Hyatt is where we went to watch the games.  For the final, we invited the EP of our Branksome Hall School in Toronto to accompany us.  What better way to initiate someone into the viewing of rugby!

Gathered in the marque on the night of the final was a collection of Kiwis and French, alongside folk from all over the globe, that had declared their support to a team.  It is fair to say there were a decent number in black and we even spied a few yellow rugby jerseys with black ones over the top – great to have support from our cousins across the ditch!

What was supposed to be a pretty one-sided victory turned out to be one of the hardest fought finals in World Cup Rugby history. The French were worthy opponents, restoring pride in their team and proving they deserved to be in the final. The All Blacks, what else can be said – ranked the number one team in the world - after 24 years – World Cup Rugby Champions 2011- finally they had the cup to go with their ranking.

The Hyatt put on a great night as they always do, NZ beverages flowed, and an onslaught of kiwi music played on well after the game.  Celebrations for most moved from the Hyatt  (which sits on top of a hill) down into the heavily patronized expat bars and restaurant area of Itaewon where people of all ethnicities and nationalities continued to celebrate well into the morning.

Thank you to our All Black and French supporters and friends who partied with us into the night. Another great event in Seoul! 

sympathy  and celebrations

Someone even put on a French jersey after the game to be nice and cheer up the French 
- it worked!!

Post game celebrations went on all night

It was truly a night to remember!!!!!!!

Entertainment in Seoul

We have been a bit busy lately to up date our blog but will try to keep on top of it in the months ahead.

  

We’ve continued exploring the city and continued loving it! There is a heap to do in Seoul, a massive number of shows, free concerts, small gigs, large stadium concerts etc.  Movies are available, although there are usually a smaller number of English films for you to view.

One must see in Seoul is Nanta, a show that has been running for many years in Korea as well as on Broadway. It is a huge hit and still sells out here in Seoul even though it plays in three theatres twice a day!  Think Stomp with martial arts, knives and storyline. It has audience participation and a heap of laughs - plenty of energy. One doesn't need to understand the Korean language to enjoy.

Well worth checking out if you have time in Seoul.

Here is a trailer of the show…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1j_a7uWgzc&feature=related

Getting ready for the show to start!

The show is ready to kick off

Action packed amazing drumming!

Flames, knives, kicking, jumping, dancing, laughing, great fun!

Beautiful city

  

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Central Seoul certainly is a captivating city. There is a huge blend of architecture and attention to detail.  The rich history, palaces alongside modern buildings – such contrasting architecture draws you in and holds your attention.

One of the things that struck us in our exploring the city are the variety and number of sculptures. Whilst it doesn’t quite equal the number of coffee outlets, it’s not far off. We wonder if there must be some agreement with the city prior to completing a building that x-amount must be put aside for a sculpture or park – a sort of contribution back to the city.

Stark contrast to the central city is the outskirts of Seoul, although clean and ordered – (numbers even on the side of each apartment block) the apartments lack imagination, they are lego-like buildings that stretch out for miles. They are often in hideous pinks. They are practical constructions but not particularly pleasant on the eye or conducive to a stimulating environment.



   

Strong family focus



Traditional



Live sculpture



                                                                                                         

                                                       





At park near Seoul Station - Japanese influence