I’m Borhan, and having lived in Korea for 1.5 years, I’ve experienced two Lunar New Year celebrations here. It’s a fascinating and vibrant holiday where families come together, bosses give thoughtful gifts, and restaurants face immense pressure due to the holiday rush. While enjoying these celebrations, I can’t help but compare them to my own country’s New Year celebration, Pohela Boishakh, in Bangladesh.
Lunar New Year in Korea
The Korean Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of the most important holidays in Korea. It’s a time for family reunions, ancestral rituals (charye), and traditional foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). People dress in traditional hanbok, and children bow to elders to receive blessings and gifts, often in the form of money.
In my experience, the holiday brings warmth and joy, but also busyness. Working in a restaurant, I’ve seen firsthand how the holiday creates a huge demand for food, making it a bustling time for businesses. Despite the rush, the spirit of Seollal shines through in the form of togetherness and generosity.
Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh
Back in my home country, Bangladesh, the New Year celebration is called Pohela Boishakh, marking the first day of the Bengali calendar. It’s celebrated on April 14th and is a day filled with cultural festivities.
People wear traditional clothes—women in white sarees with red borders and men in panjabis. The day starts with Mangal Shobhajatra, a colorful procession symbolizing unity and hope. Streets come alive with music, dance, and traditional foods like panta bhat (fermented rice) and fried hilsa fish. It’s a day to embrace our roots, visit fairs, and enjoy cultural performances.
The Spirit of Both Celebrations
Both Seollal and Pohela Boishakh emphasize family, tradition, and togetherness. In Korea, the focus is on honoring ancestors and starting the year with blessings, while in Bangladesh, the emphasis is on cultural pride and welcoming the new year with joy and unity.
Experiencing these celebrations has given me a deeper appreciation for how different cultures welcome the new year. While I cherish the warmth of Seollal in Korea, Pohela Boishakh will always hold a special place in my heart as a vibrant reminder of my roots.
I’m Borhan, and having lived in Korea for 1.5 years, I’ve experienced two Lunar New Year celebrations here. It’s a fascinating and vibrant holiday where families come together, bosses give thoughtful gifts, and restaurants face immense pressure due to the holiday rush. While enjoying these celebrations, I can’t help but compare them to my own country’s New Year celebration, Pohela Boishakh, in Bangladesh.
Lunar New Year in Korea
The Korean Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of the most important holidays in Korea. It’s a time for family reunions, ancestral rituals (charye), and traditional foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). People dress in traditional hanbok, and children bow to elders to receive blessings and gifts, often in the form of money.
In my experience, the holiday brings warmth and joy, but also busyness. Working in a restaurant, I’ve seen firsthand how the holiday creates a huge demand for food, making it a bustling time for businesses. Despite the rush, the spirit of Seollal shines through in the form of togetherness and generosity.
Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh
Back in my home country, Bangladesh, the New Year celebration is called Pohela Boishakh, marking the first day of the Bengali calendar. It’s celebrated on April 14th and is a day filled with cultural festivities.
People wear traditional clothes—women in white sarees with red borders and men in panjabis. The day starts with Mangal Shobhajatra, a colorful procession symbolizing unity and hope. Streets come alive with music, dance, and traditional foods like panta bhat (fermented rice) and fried hilsa fish. It’s a day to embrace our roots, visit fairs, and enjoy cultural performances.
The Spirit of Both Celebrations
Both Seollal and Pohela Boishakh emphasize family, tradition, and togetherness. In Korea, the focus is on honoring ancestors and starting the year with blessings, while in Bangladesh, the emphasis is on cultural pride and welcoming the new year with joy and unity.
Experiencing these celebrations has given me a deeper appreciation for how different cultures welcome the new year. While I cherish the warmth of Seollal in Korea, Pohela Boishakh will always hold a special place in my heart as a vibrant reminder of my roots.