Chuseok Thanksgiving Festival 2023

Chuseok Festival, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is one of the most important and beloved holidays in South Korea. Families set aside their busy schedules to spend time with loved ones, while participating in several traditions, including food preparation, ritual offerings, and ancestral reconnection where families visit gravesites to hold ceremonies. In light of this, the Enderun Hospitality Hub (EHhub), in collaboration with Korun (Korean Enderun), a Korean student organization at Enderun, rekindled cultural celebrations by organizing Chuseok. Last September 30, the Enderun community had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture of Korea and embrace the significance of the Chuseok Festival.

The event had three segments — Festival, Traditional K, and Campfire. The first segment of the event happened in the Titan Hall building, where they celebrated the Festival. Students from EHhub and Korun were able to set up different booths and activities that showcased the traditional games and activities that Koreans would play during Chuseok. They had activities such as lantern making, calligraphy, a dance workshop, and other games led by our Korean students. Authentic Korean cuisine was also featured, as representatives from the Korean embassy showcased an assortment of traditional dishes such as kimbap, dalgona candy, and more.

Traditional K was the main show, as RSOs had the opportunity to participate in Chuseok. The Enderun Food & Wine Society (EFWS) and Culinaire demonstrated traditional flavors of dishes and drinks. EFWS’s President, Sean Rosas, demonstrated how to make traditional Korean drinks such as Yujacha, a citron Iced tea that is popular during winter. The second drink they prepared was Sujeonggwa, a cinnamon ginger punch typically served from autumn until the end of winter. Culinaire taught the students how to create a Korean dish called Japchae, a stir-fried glass noodle, and Songpyeon, made out of rice powder and resembles a half moon.

The last segment was the Campfire, where all the participants got to relax and enjoy themselves after a long day of activities. Participants were able to have their own potluck, drinks by EFWS, Tteokbokki and Kimchi Fried Rice by Culinaire, and BBQ and roasted marshmallows by Ms. Bel Castro.

The day ended with a small gathering where students shared what they were most thankful for, and bid goodbye to Dean Ed – who had sadly passed away on the same day of the event. We lit up our sparklers – embracing a few moments of silence to celebrate the life and legacy of Dean Ed – as we said farewell to a great man.