This year, Chuseok falls on Thursday, October 1 (be ready for the biggest full moon of the year), and we would love to celebrate on Friday, October 2 in a non-pandemic world. If only we could offer some delicious Korean food and martial arts action sharing the fruits of a busy summer with the community. Anyway, check out what we would plan, what it's all about, why we celebrate it, and more.
Chuseok 2020 falls on Thursday, October 1 (NOTE: we would celebrate on Friday, October 2), and MSMAP would again keep in the Chuseok-spirit by sharing the fruits of a busy, productive summer with the community in a non-pandemic world. We would love to share some authentic Korean food celebrating beneath the Harvest Moon, the biggest full moon of the year.
KOREAN FOOD! What is Thanksgiving without food? We load up on a variety of delicious food: bulgolgi, kimchee, rice, Korean hamburgers, watermelon...more? |
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EXCITING MARTIAL ARTS ACTION. Watch area children, teens, and adults do their thing: cool skills (jumping kicks, flying kicks, board breaks, more) with exceptional manners. See the accomplishments of amazing people! Check out the highlights from the previous events: |
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Chuseok (or, Full Moon Harvest Festival) is the most important holiday on the Korean calendar. Often described as “Korean Thanksgiving,” this description doesn’t quite do it justice as it also includes elements of Grandparents’ Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, and Christmas. It is a time of thanks, bounty, and happiness.
WHEN IS IT? Occurring on the 15th day of the eighth month of the ancient lunar calendar (September or October), Chuseok is a celebration “on which Koreans, an agrarian people throughout most of history, thank their ancestors for the year’s harvest and share their abundance with family and friends.” 1 It is a holiday that brings families together to celebrate, be thankful, and express respect for their ancestors.
WHAT HAPPENS? The holiday is celebrated beneath the Harvest Moon, the biggest full moon of the year. Part of a traditional celebration includes folk dancing, games, and a whole lot of food.
We started celebrated Chuseok in September 2011 at the Mt. Shasta City Park because we wanted to help out the community in another way. In addition to learning more about the culture that created both taekwondo and yongmudo and sampling traditional Korean food, Chuseok is a nice excuse to honor the seniors in our community via the Senior Nutrition Program by sharing some energy with skills and food.
“Just as strong roots will bring a plentiful harvest, Koreans find that connecting with the past brings rewards in the present.”6 And connecting with seniors is a great way to build strong roots within our own community.
About the Senior Nutrition Program
“Since 1974, there has been a hot lunch program for senior citizens at the City Park Recreation Center...55+ meals are delivered to homebound seniors in the South County (Meals-on-Wheels). Transportation to and from the Mt. Shasta lunch site is also available...The Senior Nutrition Program strives to not only meet the nutritional needs of its senior participants, but also recognizes the importance of socialization and life enrichment. Informational programs, special events, and other activities are a regular component of the senior lunch program schedule.” More...
1. Korean Thanksgiving Holiday Chuseok Traditions! (Seoul in Korea)
2. Hidden Korea: Ch’usok (PBS Online)
3. A detailed explanation of ‘Chuseok’(AllKPop.com)
4. Chuseok Holiday in Modern-Day Korea (Visit Korea)
5. Chuseok Full Moon Harvest Holiday (Visit Korea)
6. Harvest Festival in Korea: Chuseok (Asia Society Kids)
Korea's Chuseok Holiday (Korea Today) |
Traditional Games & Music (Korea Today) |
Chuseok Dishes (Korea Today) |
Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day (Documentary) |