New Year Festival, Seol

"New Year Festival, Seol" is an event held by the National Folk Museum of Korea. Kick start this year by joining New Year Festival Seol. In celebrating the year of the monkey, the museum will present varied programs that are themed with monkeys as well as offering traditional folk experiences, Seollal cultural programs and a special exhibition.

Over 30 programs will run for 5 days, offering plenty of opportunities to learn about Seollal customs and get a deeper understanding on the meaning of Seollal. Admission to the museum is free of charge and no reservation is required for most of the activites. Seollal traditions include fortune telling and wishing for good luck in the New Year. Start off the New Year with the National Folk Museum, and have a happy and abundant year. More detailed information is available on the official website.

"New Year Festival, Seol" is an event held by the National Folk Museum of Korea. Kick start this year by joining New Year Festival Seol. In celebrating the year of the monkey, the museum will present varied programs that are themed with monkeys as well as offering traditional folk experiences, Seollal cultural programs and a special exhibition.

Over 30 programs will run for 5 days, offering plenty of opportunities to learn about Seollal customs and get a deeper understanding on the meaning of Seollal. Admission to the museum is free of charge and no reservation is required for most of the activites. Seollal traditions include fortune telling and wishing for good luck in the New Year. Start off the New Year with the National Folk Museum, and have a happy and abundant year. More detailed information is available on the official website.

[Hands-on Programs]
- Monkey patterned Hanji (Korean paper) tray making
- Bokjumeoni (fortune pouch) giveaway for visitors born in the Year of Monkey
- Monkey mask making
- Clay monkey making
- Rest Area: Writing a postcard to Monkey

[Seol Traditional Food Experience]
- Sharing Tteokguk (sliced rice cake soup)
- Sharing Korean desserts: ginger tea, garaetteok (cylinder-shaped rice cake), hangwa (traditional sweets and cookies)
- Korea-Japan Joint Exhibition Babsang Ji-Gyo

[Seol Seasonal Customs Experience]
- Solbim (New Year’s clothing) dress-up and photo
- Yut-jeom (fortune-telling with yut)
- Tojeongbigyeol (fortune-telling practice)

[Special Performances]
- Dodanggut of Gyeonggi
- Pilbong Nongak (farmer’s music) of Jeolla
- Bongsan Talchum (mask dance) of Hwanghae
- Jinju Samcheonpo Nongak (farmer’s music) of Gyeongsang
- Traditional Art Troupe “Hoyeon”
- Osan Oemi Goellip Nongak (farmer’s music) of Gyeonggi
- Yangju Byeolsandae (mask dance) of Gyeonggi

[Seol Ceremony and Costumes]
- Charye (ancestral ritual) and Saebae (New Year’s greetings)
- Pretty Shoes for Girls & Nice Shoes for Boys
- Lukcy badge making
- Photo shoot with Monkey hoping for new year’s luck
- Golden Bungeobbang (fish-shaped pastry)

[Traditional Folk Games]
- New Year’s Day Folk Performances for Children
- Bukcheong Sajanoreum (traditional lion mask dance)
- Learn and Play: Folk Games
- Yutnori (traditional board game) tournament
- Free folk game experience
- Learn and Play: Ssangyuk and Gonu (traditional board games)
- Children’s Museum Bus

[New Year’s Holidays in Neighboring Countries]
- New Year Traditions Around the World: Korea, Uzbekistan, Indonesia
- World Musical Instruments hands-on experience

[Exhibitions]
- Babsang-Ji-Gyo: Exchange of Food Culture on the Table
- Monkey