The May 5th in Korea we celebrate children's day and it is a real one national anniversary. It is a holiday dedicated to the little ones and on this day schools are closed as are many companies, so as to allow families to spend quality time together.
Celebratory events take place across the country and families spend their days in parks, on outdoor picnics and trips to amusement parks. Children receive various types of gifts such as sweets and games; to celebrate the holiday, in many parks and museums admission is free or discounted for young visitors.
The history of this children's festival dates back to the 1920s. Before 1922 when it was established, in South Korea there was the perception that children were not fragile individuals to be defended and protected, but rather people who could be used for work.
He was the writer Bang Jung-hwan to found a children's magazine in 1923 and create a distinct genre of their own for children whether as books, plays and songs; he was the first to talk in his magazine about how economic problems can influence children and corrupt their innocence. For Bang children are the future of the nation, so they must be valued, respected and the importance of instructing and educating them is realized. He went so far as to establish this holiday in order to make parents reflect on the importance of their children.
But the month of May is the time for family celebrations. After the Children's Day, theMay 8th is celebrated parents' day. It's not a national holiday, so you go to school and work, but you always try to spend it with your family. Parents and elders are seen as role models for future generations. The children give red carnations which are the symbol of deep love and gratitude.
The May 21st it's there Married couple celebration. The date is symbolic, it indicates the two individuals becoming one family.
And finally, since teachers are also an important piece for the growth and development of young people, the May 15th there's also their party! During this day, student groups organize thank you events for their teachers and donate carnations. Even former students return to visit their teachers to thank them for the teachings they received.
The first time my son celebrated his grandparents', father's and mother's day, he asked me: "But when is his son's day coming?". It didn't seem right to him that there wasn't a date on which children are celebrated. When he finds out that he has to fly to Korea to celebrate and receive gifts too, he will want to move without thinking twice. And would you like to have these parties in Italy?
Fabiana