The 6th Seoul Lantern Festival held along the Cheonggyecheon (Stream) on Nov. 7 Jinsha Lanterns Showing the “Style of Chengdu”
Release Time: 2017-10-24
On Nov. 7, the 6th Seoul Lantern Festival was held along the Cheonggyecheon (Stream). That day happened to be the Beginning of Winter in China. Almost 80 lantern groups from 5 countries and regions attended the festival, including the first show of the Sun Bird, Gold Mask and Panda, symbols of ancient Shu culture and Chengdu culture. The “Chengdu Style” impressed millions of visitors with its obvious Chinese characteristics. “They are Chinese, but we didn't know that the Panda, Sun Bird and Gold Mask were from Chengdu till this moment,” said Lee Minkyu, a 10-year boy who came to the festival with his grandparents. Excitedly the boy took many photos with the 3,000-year civilization symbols. All in a moment, the “Chengdu Style” swept the whole festival.
According to the organization committee of the festival, it is learned that the festival, themed by the “World Cultural Heritage”, is attempting to show the world cultural heritage projects of exhibitors (country/region/ city) in the form of lanterns, including the Capital of Hanyang, Changdeokgung Palace Complex and Guangtong Bridge. With an obvious ancient Shu style and local features, the creative lanterns from Chengdu attracted the most visitors for photos. Yoo Myoung Ho arrived at the site at 5:00p.m. with his girlfriend. “The lanterns from Chengdu are so gorgeous, elegant and colorful. Indeed, before the festival, we knew little about the Sanxingdui and Jinsha Culture. Your introduction managed to attract me a visit to Chengdu during the New Year’s Day.” said him. Lee Seung-Ryul, the proprieter of Seoul Sightseeing Agency was highly satisfied with the Chengdu lanterns that he said: “the lanterns from Chengdu are so big, overwhelming and mysterious. Hope you can give more introduction. Next year, we will double your stands.”
Those lanterns became the messengers of a new Chengdu to the Korean friends. On the morning of Nov. 7, the report interviewed Lee Hong Koo, the head of Seoul Section of Culture and Arts, who loves the Chinese liquor very much but doesn’t know that the Wu Hou Shrine, Panda and other cultural elements are from Chengdu. “It seems that there is a great market potential for Chengdu culture in Seoul! More popularizing activities are expected.” Bae Yaong Hee, the head of Seoul Sightseeing Section said, “Currently Seoul is building itself to a capital of museum and attracts more foreign visitors by large festivals and shows, more experiences activities and cultural tourism projects so as to popularize the culture of Korea.”
This year, the Jinsha Sun Festival witnessed cooperation between the Jinsha Site Museum and Special Municipal Government of Seoul, Republic of Korea to build the “Seoul Garden of Korea”. The traditional Korean lanterns and other cultural project were welcomed by the citizens and became a highlight on the festival. Its success established a contact between the Jinsha Sun Festival and the Seoul Lantern Festival. Given the successful cooperation, the Special Municipal Government of Seoul, Republic of Korea issued a letter of invitation to the organization committee of the Jinsha Sun Festival, which contributed to the show of the Jinsha lanterns at Seoul!
