Free Korean, Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 1

On Feb. 1, the Korea Center-King Sejong Institute, or KC-KSI, in the Office of International Programs is hosting a free Korean Seollal and Chinese Lunar New Year celebration from 12-2 p.m. on Cater Lawn. The event is open to all Auburn University faculty, staff and students, and no prior registration is necessary.

In South Korea, Seollal, or Korean New Year, is a festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the Korean calendar. In honor of Seollal, the KC-KSI is offering attendees traditional Korean cuisine for lunch and the opportunity to play Squid Games. The winners of the games will be awarded prizes.

In addition, the event will celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Taiwan, the Chinese Lunar New Year is a time for people to reunite with their relatives over meals, do a deep clean of their homes, watch the Chinese New Year TV gala and stay up all night celebrating. Taiwan’s Dihua Street is known for its stores that sell Lunar New Year cuisine, which include snacks, dried meats and street food.

“This event is a great learning opportunity for the Auburn community to see and experience how different parts of the world celebrate the Lunar New Year,” said Ellie Lee, Korea Center-King Sejong Institute’s director of academic programs. “The Korea Center-King Sejong Institute and Taiwan Initiative are excited for people to attend, try the cuisine and join in on the traditions that our cultures observe on Lunar New Year’s Day.”

For questions, please email auksi@auburn.edu. To stay up-to-date on the Korea Center-King Sejong Institute’s programming throughout the year, visit here.