How did you celebrate Chuseok?

Chuseok, Korea’s major holiday, was celebrated last Friday. Chuseok is akin to Korea’s Thanksgiving Day,

and it’s interesting how it varies in date each year based on the lunar calendar, although it typically falls

between September and October.

What Chuseok shares with Thanksgiving is the gathering of the entire family to enjoy delightful meals. I

believe the essence of holidays lies in spending quality time with our loved ones. And isn’t it true that

the joy of being together during the holidays is amplified by the abundance of delicious food?

In Korea, Chuseok also holds great significance as a day to express gratitude to our ancestors. It’s a day

of reverence, both for the families of the past and the present, acknowledging their role in our lives.

Another captivating aspect of Chuseok is the presence of the full moon. Throughout Chuseok, a radiant

full moon graces the night sky, and it has long been a tradition for Koreans to offer prayers for the well”-

being and happiness of their families and friends while gazing at it. Climbing the Eodeok mountain

closest to the full moon, holding hands with family and friends, and forming a circle to pray for good

fortune is known as “Ganggangsullae"

This year, Chuseok began from September 28th to the 30th 2023. Why not join together and make wishes upon the full

moon in the night sky, extending our hopes to our family, friends, and ourselves? I wish everyone had a

joyful Chuseok!

by JooYoung Jung

Here is how our students celebrated Chuseok during class this year.