지난 3월 5일 북애리조나 세도나 한인회는 세도나 업타운 메인스트리트에서 열린 세도나 세인트페트릭스데이 퍼레이드에 참가하였다. 올해로 41회를 맞는 세도나세인트페트릭스데이 퍼레이드는 세도나 메인 스트릿 프로그램과 북애리조나대학교의 공동 개최로 진행되는 세도나의 유서깊은 문화 행사.  북애리조나 세도나 한인회는 세도나 현지인 주민들과 9 명의  사물놀이 팀을 구성해 한국의 전통 문화를 선보였으며, 한-미 합동 사물놀이팀의 흥겨운 가락과 길놀이에 약 1000여명이 넘는 참가자들이 큰 갈채를 보냈다. 특히 이번 퍼레이드는 북애리조나 세도나 한인회에서 추진하고 있는 한국전 참전용사 기념비 건립을 홍보하고 도네이션을 적극적으로 유치하기 위해 기획되어많은 참가자들의 공감을 얻었다.

북애리조나세도나 한인회가 적극적으로 추진하고 있는 한국전 참전용사 기념비 건립비는 북애리조나에 약 300여명이 넘는 한국전 참전용사들의 헌신과 희생을 기념하는 의미로, 세도나 한인회 명예회장인 이승헌 총장의 제안으로 지난 2월 시작되었으며, 내년 6월 25일이 개막 목표이다.

앞으로 세도나 한인회는 한국전 참전용사를 위한 감사 행사를 정기적으로 개최하고, 한국의 문화와 정신을 미 주류사회에 알리는데 주력할 예정이다.

Sedona, Arizona—February 5, 2011

On February 5^th the Sedona community enjoyed a unique opportunity for cultural exchange when the Sedona Korean American Association hosted a Lunar New Year Festival. Visitors and residents alike marked the day with games, food, film and well wishes for the community.

This ancient celebration during the first two weeks of the Lunar has been enjoyed by billions of people in Asia and various Asian communities in North America. However, the Year of the Rabbit has introduced the celebration as a new tradition for the Sedona community. Usually, the Lunar New Year festival is a time for families to be reunited, for special meals and special ceremonies honoring ones ancestors. Sedona got a taste of the Korean version of this holiday at Mago Healing Center.

Attendees were treated to a variety of cultural experiences: including traditional Korean Folk games, personal Calligraphy, Lunar Zodiac readings, and a Korean film. Delicious Korean, Thai and Chinese dishes and items for raffle were provided by local merchants. The crowd was also treated Korean Folk Dance performances by Arirang, a Tucson-based Korean folk dance troupe. In addition to the games and entertainment there were speeches and presentations. The Mayor of Sedona offered words of support and a congratulatory message from the Korean Consul General of Los Angeles was delivered by the President of the Arizona Korean Association..

The day was topped off with a presentation on one special inter-cultural inspiration for this group, honoring veterans of the Korean War. Several Korean War Veterans attended the event and some told the audience their time in Korea, while members of the Association paid special tribute to those veterans in the Korean manner of honoring elders as part of the New Year tradition.  In addition, Association President Banya Lim presented a proposal for a Korean War Veterans’ Monument here in the Verde Valley.  This proposal was encouraged by Ilchi Lee, Sedona resident and long-time supporter of the Sedona Korean American Association, who is donating $10,000 toward the Monument’s fund.

As the rabbit is a symbol of longevity and fortune in many Asian cultures, the year of the rabbit is said to provide a respite after the intensity of the previous year of the tiger. This bodes well for the Sedona and the Sedona Korean American Association, introducing this tradition during a peaceful year.

About the Sedona Korean American Association:

The Sedona Korean American Association is a non-partisan, community-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  It is dedicated to serving the Sedona community, particularly the needs of its Korean-American residents.  It endeavors to promote inter-cultural understanding, educational activities, and preserve the unique beauty of Sedona.