Sri Lanka participates at the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul

 Sri Lanka participated at the annual Lotus Lantern Festival held in Seoul on 11th and 12th May 2024.  The historical street festival is held annually to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of the Lord Buddha. It features a Vesak lantern parade and a fair showcasing various aspects of Buddhism.

Sri Lankan traditional dancers and lanterns were displayed during the Lotus Lantern parade on 11th May evening. The Sri Lankan performers joined the parade, which wound its way through the streets of Seoul.The country’s Theravada Buddhist traditions, famed Ceylon tea and herbal beverages, were showcased at the stall during the street festival on 12th May afternoon.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea, Savitri Panabokke, met with some of the Sri Lankans participating in the parade and also visited the Sri Lanka stall at the fair. She was joined by Ms. Chandima Abeyrathne, Minister (Commercial) in lighting the traditional oil lamp at the stall. They also received blessings from the Sri Lankan and Korean monks at the event.

The Ambassador thanked Ven. Welanhinne Vachissera thero and Ven. Koslande Udithathero of the Karabi Mahabodhi Viharaya for their tireless efforts to facilitate Sri Lanka’s participation at the event on twenty occasions and for promoting spiritual and cultural harmony between the two countries.