Yeondeunghoe Filled with Food and Attractions... The Trendy Buddhist Atmosphere Continues

Lantern Parade Draws 50,000 Participants on the 26th
Related Events Held on the 27th
EDM and Hip-Hop Performances Featured

On April 27, 2025, ahead of Buddha's Birthday (May 5, 2025, Buddhist Era 2569), an event related to Yeondeunghoe was held near Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On the 27th, the "2025 Yeondeunghoe Traditional Culture Square" is being held near Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

This event was part of Yeondeunghoe, which is designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and was organized to promote and spread traditional Buddhist culture. The event was hosted by the Yeondeunghoe Preservation Committee, which is composed of Buddhist orders including the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

The event featured a variety of foods and attractions that enlivened the atmosphere. Temples from across the country offered dishes such as wild vegetable bibimbap, mugwort injeolmi, lotus root bindaetteok, vegan burgers, temple-style king dumplings, temple-style tteokbokki, and lotus leaf tea. In addition, there were performances of Korean traditional and Buddhist culture, including pungmulpae (traditional percussion bands), Bukcheong Lion Dance, and Yeongsanjae ritual demonstrations, as well as traditional Buddhist dances from Nepal and traditional dances from Myanmar.

In the evening, a special stage set up at the intersection in front of Jogyesa Temple became the center of the lantern play. Performance and dance troupes from Jogyesa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple, and Hanmaum Seon Center presented a variety of performances inspired by Buddhist hymns.

Ahead of Buddha's Birthday on May 5, 2025 (Buddhist Era 2569), on the 26th, the lantern parade departed from Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun), passed through Jongno, and headed towards Jogyesa Temple. Yonhap News

The trendy Buddhist atmosphere continued this year as well. Julian Quintart, a Belgian broadcaster, heightened the mood with EDM (electronic dance music) DJing. Sangwolbiboi captivated the audience with a hip-hop dance performance.

The lantern parade held the previous day started at Dongdaemun, passed through Bosingak Intersection, and continued to Jogyesa Temple. About 50,000 people participated.

On May 5, Buddha's Birthday, celebratory Buddhist ceremonies will be held at temples nationwide.