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| ▲ French Ambassador to South Korea Philippe Bertoux speaks during a press conference held at the embassy in Seoul on March 5, 2026, to promote the French side program to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Adrien Perruchon (C), the principal French conductor of the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, speaks during a press conference held at the French Embassy in Seoul on March 5, 2026, to promote the French side program to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France. (Yonhap) |
S Korea-France-anniv events
France to kick off year of cultural events in S. Korea to mark 140th anniv. of ties
By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- France will stage a yearlong series of cultural exchange events across South Korea to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the French Embassy in Seoul said Thursday.
Under the theme of "creativity, opportunity and solidarity," around 100 events spanning music, visual arts, literature, film, drama and performing arts will take place in 20 cities nationwide, according to the embassy.
"The program would serve as an opportunity to further solidify the friendly relations between the two countries across political, economic, cultural, security, educational and human exchange fields," French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux told reporters at the embassy.
The festivities will open Saturday with a concert by the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra led by Adrien Perruchon, the principal French conductor, at Bucheon Arts Center, about 23 kilometers southwest of Seoul. Rising French pianist Arielle Beck will join the orchestra as a soloist.
Most major cultural events are scheduled for June, marking the month when the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was signed between the two nations 140 years ago.
Early in the month, the Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul will open at the 63 Building in the Yeouido financial district. Visitors can see an inaugural exhibition based on the permanent modern and contemporary art collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, which is slated to remain closed for renovation until 2030.
The main ceremony to commemorate the anniversary will take place on June 4 at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, the date marking the signing of the treaty in 1886. Soprano Sumi Jo, winner of France's coveted Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters, is among the artists scheduled to perform.
France will also be the guest of honor at the Seoul International Book Fair 2026, which runs from June 24 to 28. It will also be the focus country at seven international film festivals to be held this year in Busan, Bucheon, Jeju and Seoul, and two music festivals in Cheorwon and Gapyeong.
In October, the famed Avignon Festival will make its Asian debut in South Korea, expanding on its 2026 edition that features Korean as its official guest language. The event will be held as part of the Seoul Performing Arts Festival, set to run from Oct. 10 to 15 in the South Korean capital.
The yearlong program will conclude with a closing cultural performance in Busan in December, with further details to be announced later.
During the press event, the embassy also named South Korean actor Jun Ji-hyun and Felix, a member of K-pop boy group Stray Kids, as honorary ambassadors for its anniversary program.
"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 South Korea," the embassy said in a press release. The pair will take part in key events throughout the year as honorary ambassadors, it added.
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