Surprise Me!

Myeongdong Cathedral in S. Korea holds 3-day Christmas festival online

2020-12-25 8 Dailymotion

명동성당, 코로나 확산 속 비대면 성탄 축제 개최해<br />Usually during this time of Christmas Eve, the streets are packed with people with various special events to watch or partake in.<br />But there's nothing usual about 2020.<br />Han Seong-woo went out to find out how COVID-19 changed the holiday scenery. Christmas at the historic, 122 year-old Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul will look a tad different in 2020. <br /><br />"Myeongdong Cathedral behind me, has decided to go virtual with Christmas Day Mass scheduled for Friday noon."<br /><br /> Not too many tourists, shoppers, and worshippers crowded the cathedral's front plaza on Christmas Eve.<br />And Christmas masses before and after the main one will have their attendances limited to 15 people.<br /><br />"I had always thought the end of the year to be a time of people gathering and spending time together... but since that isn't the case this year, this winter feels a bit chillier than usual."<br /><br /> Unlike years past, bustling Christmas markets are nowhere to be seen near this iconic landmark.<br />Instead, a special nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus is in place in front.<br />And in the background is a drawing of a COVID-19 patient and a doctor with hands clenched in hope, wearing protective clothing.<br /> The Archdiocese of Seoul has come up with a way to contactlessly celebrate the birth of Jesus, though.<br />In the days to come, its 'MyeongDong Lights Up the Winter 2020 Festival' will feature carol performances, talk shows, religious auctions and even celebrity appearances.<br />Earlier in the month, a Christian band sang carols like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Winter Wonderland" inside Myeongdong Cathedral to lift people's spirits as part of an online Christmas concert...to give a little bit of hope that better days lie ahead.<br />Han Seong-woo, Arirang News. <br />

Buy Now on CodeCanyon