SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — YeonDeungHoe, a Korean traditional cultural festival in which participants light up lanterns to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, has become a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of Humanity.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.prnasia.com/mnr/ydh_202012.shtml
At the 15th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held online on 16th, December at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, YeonDeungHoe was confirmed to be listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Humanity.
The Festival is an annual event held to mark the birth of Buddha, who pursued a wise life to make a better world. People light the lanterns while making their wishes during the event. ‘YeonDeung’ literally means ‘lighting a lantern,’ which can be interpreted as lighting up the heart and the world, wishing for wisdom, mercy, happiness, and peace.
The tradition dates back to 866, with the first historic records depicting the ancient Kingdom of Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) telling stories of holding the event at Hwangnyongsa Temple in Gyeongju. Since then, it has been a representative Korean traditional culture with 1,200 years of sharing all the joys and sorrows with the Korean people through the Unified Silla, Goryeo, and Joseon Dynasties.
The Festival has been transformed from the GwandeungNori, where participants enjoy the magnificent views of the lighted lanterns, to the current Lantern Parade where people make a parade throughout the Jongno Street, holding the lanterns made by themselves. YeonDeungHoe has been passed down creatively to follow the trend of the times while maintaining its tradition. It is a Korean cultural event that anyone can participate in voluntarily, and a festival that everyone can enjoy together, wishing each other happiness.
The Committee took note of the inclusiveness of YeonDeungHoe, which contributes to overcoming all social boundaries and to ultimately expressing cultural diversity. The Committee also noted that the lantern lighting festival plays the role of sharing pleasure and, in times of difficulties, of enhancing social cohesion. Most importantly, the Committee celebrated YeonDeungHoe as a good example of how a single inscription can contribute to enhancing the public awareness of the significance of intangible cultural heritage in general.
To commemorate the listing of the Festival as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the YeonDeungHoe Preservation Committee will host the Special Exhibition and prepare for the 2021 YeonDeungHoe. Festival participants hope that COVID-19 will end as early as possible so that they can enjoy the Festival altogether.
For more information about 2021 YeonDeungHoe Schedule, please visit www.LLF.or.kr/eng.
Leading Traditional Lanterns of Lanterns Parade
Flying Fairy with playing music Grand Lanterns Parade
Children’s Dance group Parade
Grand Lantern Making of Participating Groups of Lotus Lanterns Parade
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
