Manny Ita –
France will host a yearlong series of cultural exchange events across South Korea to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the French Embassy in Seoul announced Thursday.
The programme, organised under the theme “creativity, opportunity and solidarity,” will feature about 100 cultural events spanning music, visual arts, literature, film, drama and performing arts. The activities are scheduled to take place in around 20 cities across the country.
Speaking during a press conference at the embassy, French Ambassador to South Korea, Philippe Bertoux, said the programme would deepen cooperation and strengthen relations between the two nations in several areas.
“The program would serve as an opportunity to further solidify the friendly relations between the two countries across political, cultural, security, educational and human exchange fields,” Bertoux told reporters.
The celebrations will officially begin on Saturday with a concert by the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bucheon Arts Center, located about 23 kilometres southwest of Seoul. The orchestra will be conducted by French conductor Adrien Perruchon, while rising French pianist Arielle Beck will perform as a soloist.
Most of the major events are scheduled for June, marking the anniversary month of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between France and Korea in 1886.
Among the highlights is the opening of the Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul at the 63 Building in Seoul’s Yeouido financial district early in June. The new venue will host an inaugural exhibition drawn from the permanent modern and contemporary art collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, which is expected to remain closed for renovation until 2030.
The main commemorative ceremony is scheduled for June 4 at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, marking the exact date the treaty was signed in 1886. Among the performers will be renowned South Korean soprano Sumi Jo, who has been awarded France’s Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters.
France will also serve as the guest of honour at the Seoul International Book Fair 2026, which will take place from June 24 to 28. In addition, the country will be the focus nation at seven international film festivals scheduled to be held this year in Busan, Bucheon, Jeju and Seoul, as well as two music festivals in Cheorwon and Gapyeong.
In October, the internationally renowned Avignon Festival will stage its Asian debut in South Korea as part of the Seoul Performing Arts Festival, which is scheduled to run from Oct. 10 to 15 in Seoul.
The yearlong celebration will conclude with a closing cultural performance in Busan in December, with further details expected to be announced later.
During the press event, the embassy also named South Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun and Felix as honorary ambassadors for the anniversary programme.
“The two figures, who represent different fields of art — film and music — embody the dynamism and international status of contemporary Korean culture, while symbolizing the deepening cultural exchanges between France and Korea,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that both will participate in key events throughout the year.
