[Photo] Celebrations of Buddha’s birthday underway in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square

A variety of celebrations are in store for Buddha’s 2,563th birthday (May 12), began on Apr. 17 in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square and the surrounding area. A lantern recreation of the Mireuksa Temple Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) has been erected and lit up in the square. The annual Lotus Lantern Festival will take place from May to 5 along the street in front of the nearby Jogyesa Temple. Festival organizers said the theme for this year’s celebrations will be “forgiveness and peace” on the Korean Peninsula.