Jongmyo Shrine Holds Ritual To Mark Restoration CompletionA ritual called the Hwananje was held on April 20 at Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno District, Seoul, to mark the completion of repairs to the main shrine. The Jongmyo Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the ancestral tablets of Joseon kings, used for Confucian ceremonies honoring royal ancestors.
‘R-Evolution’ Sculpture Promotes Women’s SafetyOn April 10, sculptor Marco Cochrane’s 13.7-meter-tall nude female statue “R-Evolution” was installed at Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco, California. Previously shown in Miami Beach, the artwork symbolizes women’s power and freedom. Cochrane’s work asks, “How would the world be different if women were truly safe?”
Thailand Celebrates Songkran Festival With Water and JoyOn April 13, people celebrated the Songkran Festival by splashing water in the streets. The festival marked the traditional Thai New Year and symbolized washing away bad luck and welcoming a fresh start. It continued across Thailand until April 15, bringing joy and water-filled fun.
Seoul Sees First Mid-April Snow in Over a CenturySeoul experienced its first mid-April snow since 1907 on April 13, transforming a cherry blossom-filled day into one of icy roads. Snow also fell at the foot of Mount Joryeong, located on the border of Goesan County and Mungyeong, blanketing the mountains and surrounding fields in white.