On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Auburn Korean Center will be hosting a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the Korean national holiday Chuseok, also known as“Korean Thanksgiving.”
This event occurs annually in the fall and commemorates a good harvest. This year the luncheon is being held in Foy Hall. Much like the American Thanksgiving, Koreans focus on thankfulness during this holiday.
Translated in English to “Autumn Eve,” this Korean holiday typically includes visiting relatives, delicious rice cakes and gift exchanges.
Since 2012, the Auburn Korean Center has hosted an event for Chuseok every year on campus. Traditional Korean dishes are served to celebrate this Korean holiday.
Seungheui “Ellie” Lee, director of the Korea Center — King Sejong Institute and the coordinator of academic and cultural initiatives, said some of the savory cuisines available at this year’s festival include Bulgogi, Kimchi, traditional pancakes, Japchae, Kimbap, spicy fried chicken, ribs, Songpyeon and other kinds of traditional rice cakes.
Korean students can partake in this Korean holiday without ever having to step foot off-campus. However, this event is also open to all students and faculty to immerse themselves in a different culture.
For the past nine years, the Korean Center has “seen [a] huge growth in students’ interests in Korean language and culture” at Auburn, Lee said.
“I think it is imperative for Auburn students and community members to understand and build cross-cultural awareness and relationships to equip them with the capabilities and mindset to successfully tackle the world’s challenges of global interdependence, as well as to solve problems and work globally," Lee said.
Korean Chuseok is only one of the events that the Korean Center — King Sejong Institute provides throughout the year for members of the Auburn community.
“I think diverse cultural events on campus provide educational opportunities for Auburn students to become globally competent," Lee said.
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Emma Hall is a news writer for The Auburn Plainsman.
