A group of talented, young singers from Queens performed at the White House on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng arranged for the Bayside-based Korean Youth American Choir of New York (KAYCNY) to perform at the first White House celebration marking the Korean holiday Chuseok. The 13 talented youngsters, joined by the choir’s conductor, staff members and several parents, donned traditional Korean attire and performed for a crowd of around 100 people.
Eunja Ko, leader of KAYCNY, said it was an honor to perform at the White House. “This performance at the White House was an outstanding experience, and it was a tremendous opportunity to spotlight the talent and work of the local young people in our choir,” Ko said.
Rep. Meng added that it was wonderful to see KAYCNY represent the city’s Korean-American community. “I thank these talented young people for showcasing Korean culture through their music and contributing to these exciting festivities that celebrated the Korean diaspora in the United States. I am so proud to represent a vibrant Korean American community in my district in Queens and I thank the White House for hosting this event to highlight the rich heritage and culture of Korean Americans,” Meng said in a statement.
In Korean culture, Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, or Korean Thanksgiving Day, is one of the most important holidays of the year. The major autumn harvest festival and three-day holiday is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. Traditionally, celebrants return to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with their families and honor their ancestors at familial burial sites.
Koreans celebrate Chuseok with special dishes, including songpyeon, a rice cake made with finely ground rice, kneaded into small round shapes and filled with sesame seeds, chestnuts, red beans and similar ingredients.
