The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. will host a comprehensive cultural event exploring the traditional Korean first birthday celebration known as doljabi, featuring acclaimed Korean American authors Ginger Park and Frances Park. The special K-Culture Talk, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, will celebrate Korea's cherished first birthday tradition through the lens of their children's book "My Sister's Doljabi."
The event will provide participants with an in-depth exploration of the cultural significance of dol, the Korean term for a child's first birthday milestone, and the meaningful tradition of doljabi, where babies choose from various objects that are believed to predict their future. The Park sisters will share personal stories and explain how Korean cultural traditions have inspired their storytelling approach, offering insights into the deep-rooted customs that continue to play an important role in Korean families worldwide.
Attendees will participate in immersive hands-on activities designed to bring the tradition to life. The program includes an authentic doljabi experience where participants can observe the ceremonial object selection process, taste traditional Korean rice cakes called tteok that are traditionally served at first birthday celebrations, and try on beautiful traditional Korean hanbok attire. Families attending with children will receive complimentary copies of "My Sister's Doljabi" while supplies last, making the experience both educational and memorable.
Both authors bring impressive credentials to the event, having received multiple prestigious awards for their literary work. Ginger Park and Frances Park have each earned the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award, the IRA-CBC Teachers Choice Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Award, the Paterson Prize Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award, among other honors. The sister duo, who both reside in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., have dedicated their careers to creating meaningful children's literature that bridges cultural understanding.
In an excerpt from their book, the authors provide historical context for the tradition, explaining that the history of dol celebrations in Korea spans centuries. They share personal family history, noting that their mother, born in 1930, lost four of her nine siblings before their first birthdays, making her the only sibling to eventually celebrate her palsun (80th birthday) and many more. This historical perspective underscores why the first birthday holds such profound significance in Korean culture.
The authors note that while traditional doljabi objects carried symbolic meanings related to basic survival and prosperity, modern celebrations have evolved to include career-oriented items. Contemporary doljabi sets often feature objects representing various professions, such as a gavel symbolizing a future judge, a stethoscope for a doctor, a cellphone for an engineer, and sports equipment like golf clubs or baseball bats for athletes. Despite these modern adaptations, dol remains the most important birthday celebration for Koreans around the world.
The program will conclude with a book signing session, providing guests with the opportunity to meet the authors personally and discuss their work. The event will be held at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., located at 2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. Those interested in attending can find more information about the authors and their work at their official website, www.parksisters.com, and are encouraged to RSVP for this special cultural celebration.
