Veteran's/Pepero/Lantern Festival Day

Today is Veteran's Day in the US, when we take a particular opportunity to express our gratitude to those who have defended America in uniform.

It is Pepero Day in Korea, when we buy Pepero sticks (aka Pocky) for those we love. This holiday was invented by Lotte, makers of Pepero, to move product. The date 11/11 was chosen since it resembles the sticks.

It is also the day before Korea's nationwide college entrance exam. Literaryhero describes he situation perfectly in his post for today.

The mid-autumn lantern festival kicks off tonight at the Cheonggyecheon, the man made stream that traverses central Seoul. According to the Korea Sparkling page:

The festival invites people from all over the world to come to Seoul and light a lantern, a symbol of 'hope and friendship'. Main events will include an opening ceremony, star studded concert and the daily lantern lighting ceremonies.

Let the festivities begin!

Happy Pepero Day!

A week or so ago, I noticed a large chocolate-and-pink-balloons-and-hearts display at E-Mart-uh (see below), and thought to myself, Weird. Valentine's Day isn't for three months yet.


Shows what I know. True, it's not Valentine's Day exactly, which is named after a saint; it's Pepero Day, named after a candy. In fact, some argue the holiday was created by a candy company, Lotte, who makes Pepero. Yes, Pepero is actually a brand of candy. But, so what? Many of the same people would argue that Mother's Day in America was created by the florist industry.


What is Pepero? It's a thin cookie stick coated in mediocre-quality chocolate. The date 11/11 was chosen because it resembles four sticks--Pepero sticks!
NB: Unlike a certain other blogger in my Blog List who ripped his photo for Pepero Day from somewhere on the web, the photos in this post are Certified Tuttle.

Incidentally, 11/11 is also Armistice Day in England, recognizing the end of WWI, and Veterans Day in the US. You may wish to pause a moment to remember the sacrifice of those who have fought and died to preserve our freedoms.