Families Flock to Pig Museum to Prepare for the Year of the Pig

"Pigs are considered to be a symbol of wealth and luck," the museum curator said.

What better way to prepare for the Year of the Pig than by visiting a pig museum?

South Korea’s pig museum, located in Icheon, just southeast of Seoul, features more than 7,000 porky paintings, artifacts and sculptures.

The museum even has live pigs performing tricks and an opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with the animals.

The increased attendance comes ahead of the Lunar New Year, during which observers will ring in the Year of the Pig.

"The Year of the Pig is coming soon, so my family came here to visit the pig museum and hope to have good luck in the New Year," a parent said, according to CCTV.

Lee Joong-young, curator of the museum, said attendance is up 30 percent from last year, just a month ahead of the New Year, which is observed in 2019 on Feb. 5. And Lee expects numbers to rise through next year.

"Pigs are considered to be a symbol of wealth and luck. The Year of the Pig is coming, so people will pay much more attention to pigs," Lee said in an interview with CCTV.

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