South Korea will stage a yearlong series of cultural exchange events across France to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties with the country, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Tuesday. Under the theme of 'creativity, opportunity and solidarity,' the program will feature exhibitions, performances and other events to showcase the past, present and future of Korean culture.
South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on February 10, 2026, a yearlong program of cultural exchange events across France to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The initiative, themed 'creativity, opportunity and solidarity,' seeks to highlight the evolution of Korean culture from its historical roots to contemporary and future expressions.
In the visual arts, prominent French institutions will feature works by Korean artists. The 'Colors of Korea' exhibition of modern and digital art has been ongoing since October at the Korean Cultural Center in France. From April to June, Fondation Fiminco will host a solo exhibition by media artist Kang Yi-yun alongside a group show of emerging talents.
The National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet in Paris will present several major exhibitions, including 'The Secret of Korean Beauty: From Joseon to K-Beauty' (March to July), 'Silla: Gold and Sacredness' (May to August), and 'Illusion of Knowledge: The Trompe-l'oeil Art of Korean Painting' (September 2026 to January 2027).
Performing arts will see vibrant exchanges. On May 23, Korean cultural performances will take place at key Paris museums and galleries during the European Night of Museums. In July, the Avignon Festival will designate Korean as its official guest language, featuring theater productions, dance performances, and side events on literature and cuisine. October brings a B-boying competition between Korean and French street dance crews at the Chatelet Theater.
In content industries, South Korea will be the guest country at the 2026 Series Mania TV festival in March and operate a promotional booth for Korean films at the Cannes Film Market in May. Additional highlights include the 'Concept Korea' fashion showcase at Paris Fashion Week in March and September, a Korea-France tourism B2B event in June, and a year-round bilateral publishing exchange program.
"The anniversary events will offer a meaningful opportunity for both peoples to deepen mutual understanding and friendship," a ministry official stated. "We hope it can be a chance to share the appeal of K-culture more widely in France and further strengthen cultural ties between the two nations." The plans were first previewed at a press conference held by the Korean Embassy in Paris on November 18, 2025.
