St. Andrew's Ball to return to Seoul
The 2019 St. Andrew's Ball / Courtesy of St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul
The St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul is gearing up to host its highly anticipated St. Andrew's Ball on Dec. 1 at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul's Yeouido area. After overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic, this grand event promises to be a memorable celebration of Scottish culture, complete with a formal dinner, traditional Scottish dancing and a sumptuous early morning cooked breakfast.
"We are thrilled to be able to host our first St. Andrew's Ball since the pandemic after two very successful smaller events in 2023!" Sally McEachen, the chieftain of the society, told The Korea Times. "We hope that as many of you as possible will join us to celebrate Scottish culture now that we are able to freely meet up again. It's an honour to have been able to help our committee who have gamely kept things going over the last few years. Here's to a wonderful St Andrew's Ball!"
The St Andrew’s Society of Seoul was founded in 1976. Its main function is to serve as a focal point for all things Scottish in Korea.
The St. Andrew's Ball is an all-night extravaganza, beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until 4 a.m. the following morning. Attendees can expect an evening filled with the elegance of Scottish tradition, lively dancing and a five-course meal.
The formal dinner will include a haggis course, a true Scottish delicacy, ensuring that attendees get a taste of authentic Scottish cuisine. The event's dress code is formal kilts or black tie, encouraging everyone to embrace Scotland's rich heritage in their attire.
Korean and foreign bagpipers warm up for the 2019 St. Andrew's Ball. Courtesy of St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul
For those who already plan to attend, early bird tickets are available until Oct. 15. These tickets are priced at 230,000 won per person and must be paid by the end of October. After Oct. 16, regular ticket prices will apply, with tickets available at 250,000W per person. Given the event's popularity, it's advisable to secure your ticket early to avoid missing out.
Individuals who plan to attend with a group of nine or fewer people may have the chance to join others at a table.
To ensure that everyone is ready to dance the night away, dance practices will be held on Wednesday evenings leading up to the event. These practice sessions will take place on Oct. 11, 18 and 25, and Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the British Embassy in downtown Seoul. Attendees should remember to bring identification, as access to the embassy requires proper identification, and their names must be on the guest list at the gate.
This year's St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul's Ball is not just a celebration of Scottish culture; it's a testament to the resilience and determination of the society's committee members who worked tirelessly to keep the flame of tradition alive during challenging times.
Whether you have Scottish roots or simply want to experience the warmth and spirit of the St. Andrew's Ball, prepare for a night of enchanting music, lively dances and lasting memories.
Visit standrewssocietyofseoul.com for more information and tickets.
Chantal Terblanche, from South Africa, lives here with her dog, Samsung. She runs the blog ClumsyinKorea.com and the Korea Events group on Facebook.