Korea-France Bilateral Exchange

“Years 2015-2016 of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges” event logo.
“Years 2015-2016 of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges” event logo.

 

A celebration of 130 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and France launches next year. A host of cultural programs will be held in both Korea and France for a year from Sept. this year to the end of next year. It is being called “The Year of France in Korea” and “The Year of Korea in France” events.

As the opening performance in France, “Jongmyo Jerye-ak,” or royal ancestral ritual music from Korea, will be staged in Chaillot National Theater in Paris from Sept. 18 to 19.

Jongmyo Jerye-ak is an ancient type of court music and song played during Jongmyo Jerye, a rite held for worshipping the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty at the Jongmyo Shrine. It is the synthesis of all the instrumental music, song and dance arts. Also, it is the essence of Korean traditional art containing the overall competence of Korea’s royal culture, and the cultural heritage that has lasted more than 560 years.

Moreover, the 3rd Korea-France organization committee joint meeting for the events took place in Institut Francais in Paris and the French foreign affairs ministry building from June 16 to 19, to prepare for the Years 2015-2016 of Korea-France Bilateral Exchange events.

In the meeting held at the French foreign affairs ministry building on June 19, the organizing committees of both countries selected 100 projects in various sectors, such as culture, sports, tourism, state affairs, economics, and education, as the official businesses for the Years of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges.  In particular, they also presented the concrete blueprints for major projects, which are due to be held in Paris this fall. It includes a Korean street food festival, the Korean dance week at Chaillot National Theater, the feature on Korea in Asian Film festival in Sesoul, and the establishment of Korean pavilion in the international college town in Paris.

Also, the two organizing committees visited the Chaillot National Theater, in which the Jongmyo Jerye-ak performance and the commemorative banquet are scheduled to take place to celebrate the kickoff of the Years of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges, and looked at preparations for the opening ceremony on Sept. 18. Built in 1937 as a specialized dance performance theater, the Chaillot National Theater of France is one of the best theaters in Europe, along with Opéra Garnier.

The organizing committees in the two countries agreed to host the 4th Korea-France organization committee joint meeting in Korea in Nov. in order to finalize the plans of “The Year of Korea in France” events and discuss the plans of “The Year of France in Korea” events in 2016, after ending the opening ceremony for the Years of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges in great success.

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