Dancers, artists, performers sent to Paris to promote Korean culture during Olympics

Arts & Design

Published: 23 Jul. 2024, 17:09 Updated: 23 Jul. 2024, 17:14

Dancers, artists, performers sent to Paris to promote Korean culture during Olympics

The poster for Korea National Contemporary Dance Company's ″Jungle,″ slated to take place at Le 13e Art on Tuesday and Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

As Paris gears up to host the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced Tuesday that it has prepared ambitious cultural programs to take place in the French capital.

From Tuesday to Sept. 14, the Culture Ministry has commissioned state-run art troupes and museums to stage an array of performances and exhibitions to showcase Korean culture to international visitors who will be visiting the city’s prestigious venues.

The project is a part of the ministry’s “Korea Season,” a comprehensive program that began in May to promote Korean culture across France, including cities such as Paris, Avignon and Nantes before and during the Olympic Games.

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is to perform "Jungle" at Le 13e Art on Tuesday and Wednesday. At the Grand Palais Immersif, a monthlong media art exhibition by contemporary Korean artists will take place, titled “Decoding Korea," from Friday. The exhibition, according to the ministry, seeks to “explore Korea’s modern history and cultural evolution, providing insights into the new trends shaping Korean art today.”

The poster for Korea National Ballet's gala performance at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris on Saturday and Sunday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

On Saturday and Sunday, the Korea National Ballet will perform at Maison de la Chimie, a prominent venue in Paris. The company’s special gala will feature a blend of classical ballet and original works that integrate ballet with traditional Korean music, demonstrating the global stature and innovative spirit of Korean ballet.

From Thursday to Aug. 11, the Culture Ministry will also operate the Korea House in Paris. The Korea House will function as a venue to support Korean athletes during the Games while serving as a cultural hub, promoting Korean traditions and arts to an international audience.

The poster for “Artpara,” a special exhibition showcasing over 100 works by 80 artists with developmental disabilities from 30 countries, to be held at the OECD headquarters from Sept. 2 to 11. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

During the Paralympics, a special exhibition titled “Artpara” will be organized at the OECD headquarters from Sept. 2 to 11. In alignment with the Paralympics' ethos of inclusivity, the exhibition will showcase over 100 works by 80 artists with developmental disabilities from 30 countries. Kim Geun-tae, a Korean artist with developmental disabilities and the recipient of the 2020 Korea Art Award will be presenting 25 works.

As the Games coincides with Paris Design Week, which runs from Sept. 5 to 14, the Korea Craft & Design Foundation will collaborate with French luxury furniture brand Liaigre to present an exhibition of Korean crafts. The showcase will include 51 pieces by 16 Korean craftspeople, including Jeong Da-hye, the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize winner.

The poster for the Korea Craft & Design Foundation's exhibit in collaboration with French luxury furniture brand Liaigre from Sept. 5 to 14. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

"With the Olympics returning to Paris after a century and being enjoyed in person for the first time since the pandemic, we hope that athletes and visitors alike will experience the vibrant allure of Korean art,” said Culture Minister Yu In-chon. “From top-tier performances to groundbreaking exhibitions, we have curated a comprehensive display of Korea's artistic excellence."

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]