KOREAN NET

By Charles Audouin
Video = Korean Cultural Center in Paris

Cultural exchanges and events commemorating the 140th anniversary of ties with France will be held this year in both countries including Seoul, Gwangju and Busan in Korea and Avignon, Nantes and Paris in France.

The embassies of the two countries in November last year released the official schedule of some 100 events to mark the occasion such as performances, exhibitions, festivals and academic exchanges.

Events promoting the "Year of Culture" between Korea and France began last year. For example, the Korean Cultural Center in Paris in October launched the exhibition "Colors of Korea, Spotlight on Korean Contemporary Art," while Seoul Arts Center from September to last month displayed the works of French painters Cezanne and Renoir.

Korean festivals in France

France throughout this year hosts exhibitions and festivals related to Korea. The Guimet Museum of Asian Art in Paris will hold a large event on Korea's Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), followed by displays of Korean beauty and traditional paintings of books and stationery.

The Cernuschi Museum, a Paris-based municipal gallery of Asian art, is preparing an exhibition of works by contemporary Korean artist Shin Sung-hee and another showcasing yangban (aristocratic) culture of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Leading cultural institutions such as City of Paris Museum of Modern Art, Hauteville House, the home of writer Victor Hugo, and Cognacq-Jay Museum on May 23 will join the gala "Night of Museums" featuring performances, concerts and exhibitions to commemorate the diplomatic anniversary.

Korean cultural events to be held in across France include the Korean Tours Festival in Tours, Korean Spring in Nantes, Woori Festival in Toulouse and Ici en Coree (Here in Korea) in La Rochelle. The Korea Expo of Korean culture and products is also slated to return to Paris in the summer.

More than 80 feature and short films will be screened at the Le Festival du Film Coreen a Paris (Korean Film Festival in Paris). Master classes, joint workshops and discussions will feature actors, directors and producers.

In the summer, the chamber orchestra of Daegu Concert House will perform in Metz, while the traditional music ensemble ADG7 will hold a groundbreaking show at Chatelet Theater in Paris.

The Montreuil Children's Book and Press Fair, the largest event of its kind in France, will spotlight Korean literature for children and young adults.

"Exhibition of the Musee de l'Orangerie and Musee d'Orsay: Cezanne and Renoir," featuring works from the museums Orangery and Orsay in Paris, was held from Sept. 20, 2025, to Jan. 25 this year at Seoul Arts Center. (Seoul Arts Center)

French events in Korea

An official ceremony in June at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul will mark the 140th year of ties with France. Cultural programs featuring France's rich artistic heritage are expected to captivate the public and raise the status of bilateral exchange.

In March, the Little Prince Art Museum will open in Busan. The next month, the Seoul Museum of Craft Art will display artifacts from the Korean Empire (1897-1910) shown at the Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris in 1899 and 1900.

The National Palace Museum of Korea in June will hold an exhibition of the first bilateral exchanges between both countries and the culture of diplomatic gifts. In December, Deoksugung will display the works of Korean artists active in France in the 1950s and 60s.

Leading festivals in Korea will feature the program "France Focus" including the Busan Loop Plus Fair in April, Music in Pyeongchang in July, Gwangju Biennale and Chuncheon Puppet Festival in September, and Jarasum Jazz Festival in October.

In cinema, French works will be screened at the Busan International Film Festival, Busan International Short Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and Bucheon International Animation Film Festival. In April, the French Film Festival in Seoul, Busan and Gwangju will show 10 new French movies and the Jeju French Film Festival is slated for November on Jeju Island.

The most anticipated event, however, is the opening of Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul. Part of the modern and contemporary art collection from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, which is undergoing renovation, will be on display in the Korean capital.

The full schedule of events to mark the diplomatic anniversary is available on the website of the cultural section of the French Embassy in Seoul.

This official poster for the 140th anniversary of Korea's ties with France was created by an up-and-coming French artist, who drew inspiration from the traditional Korean painting style chaekgeori, which places symbolic objects at the center of a work. The image depicts elements connecting both countries such as dance, architecture, cultural heritage, gastronomy, technology and industrial cooperation. (Cultural section of French Embassy in Seoul)

caudouin@korea.kr