KACAPN 6th Annual Korean Cultural Celebration "ChuSok"

The 6th annual Korean Cultural Celebration "ChuSok" Harvest Traditions was given at the Safeco Insurance Festal: Seattle Center on September 12, 11 a.m to 7 P.M. at Center House by co-hosted by KACAPN. The Korean American Art & cultural Association of the Pacific Northwest (KACAPN) served as a non profit organization since 2004.

The exciting festival Folk songs, dance, foods, taekwondo, films and art displayed highlight Korea's cultural evolution at Safeco Insurance Festal: Korean Cultural Celebration.

Safeco Insurance Festal presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of free events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Safeco Insurance Festal plays a vital part in Seattle Center efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.

The Major sponsors: Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and KUOW94.9 Public Radio. Additional support is provided by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The Boeing Company. Seattle Center Fund and the city of Seattle.

Part 1 program of Events Emcees led by Sandra Englund and Kathy Kim.

Special greetings was given by Consul General, Lee Ha Ryong. He congratulated and appreciated to the Korean American Art and Cultural Association's Pacific Northwest Chapter and to the Major sponsors and other sponsors for making this event possible. He addressed that the cultural event and especially the special feature of the Wedding Ceremony and traditional Korean Han bok Fashion show gave the chance for gain insight into the beautiful traditions of Korean culture and authentic clothing by one of the premier hanbok designers from Korea . He was proud of this special event. Korean American Seattle Association, Lee Kang Sul and KACAPN president Connie Chong gave the congratulatory and appreciated their wonderful performances and appreicated to the volunteers, performers and sponsors.

The program of Events performed various Korean music and folk dance performed by Mansung Sa-Mul-Nolee, Kid of God, Esther Kim, NW Korean Art Center , Full Gospel Tacoma First Church. Kim chee damo was one of the hit and people had chance to taste Kim chee, Kakdooki, and cucumble sobaeki kim chee. The special featuring was one of the unique Korean Wedding ceremony & fashions Hanbok designed by Mrs. Hyun Sook Lee. Hanbok Nara and cut the people's eyes.

KACAPN also presented 2009 Pacific North west student art competition Awards as the following:

Chusok, known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Chusok means a great day in the middle of August. It occurs during the harvest season. Thus, Korean families take this time to thank their ancestors for providing them with rice and fruits. The celebration starts on the night before Chusok and ends on the day after the holiday. Thus, many Korean families take three days off from work to get together with family and friends. The celebration starts with a family get-together at which rice cakes called "Songphyun" are served. These special rice cakes are made of rice, beans, sesame seeds, and chestnuts. Then the family pays respect to ancestors by visiting their tombs and offering them rice and fruits. In the evening, children wear their favorite hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and dance under the bright moon in a large circle. They play games and sing songs. Like the American Thanksgiving, Chusok is the time to celebrate the family and give thanks for their blessings. Korean Thanksgiving Chusok celebration was a wonderful and filled with joy during this event in Seattle Center.

Seattle Center is the tourists must stop in place and Its vibrant pulse brings together and people have the extraordinary experiences that enrich millions of lives each year. You will be able to see the many entertainment options abound including multicultural and many different diversity cultural services for everyday.

This treasured urban park exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring our rich and varied community together. This is the place arts and entertainment center and people bringing togather and shared cultural events since 1962.

Seattle Center is located at: 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109

Reported by catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, October 23, 2009