Warmest congratulations -- French ambassador
Fabien Penone French Ambassador to Korea
I present my warmest congratulations to The Korea Times on its 65th anniversary. Your high quality articles and your detailed coverage of all important events are key to public opinion awareness and to the work of the Embassy of France in Korea. The Korea Times, as one of the leading newspapers in the country, contributes actively to make France, its culture and its economy better known in Korea.
As the French Ambassador, I sincerely thank Korea Times for its interest in our country, French events held in Korea and French people living and working in Korea. France definitely wishes to be an attractive place for all Koreans, businessmen, investors, students, or tourists.
The Korea Times also plays an essential role to present the deep-rooted partnership between France and Korea. Indeed, we have developed rich and confident relations between our two people and we are launching new cooperation projects in all areas.
This year is particularly important for our two countries. We are currently celebrating the France-Korea Year 2015-2016 at the occasion of the 130th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations.
President Francois Hollande will pay a State visit to Korea on Nov. 4 at the invitation of President Park Geun-hye. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was in Paris mid-September to launch the Year of Korea in France. Our Minister for Culture and Communication Fleur Pellerin visited both Seoul and Busan early October.
During this France-Korea Year 2015-2016, our two countries will host several hundreds of high quality cultural, economic, educational, scientific, sport and food events. Besides commemorating our long-standing friendship, we see this France-Korea Year as a wonderful opportunity to deepen our global partnership: dialogue on diplomatic and global issues; new industrial partnerships and development of cross investments; support to creative economy and start-ups; tourism; cooperation between universities and students’ mobility; exchanges between regions and cities.
The Korean Year in France, which began on Sept. 18, is already a success. The traditional ceremony of Jongmyo Jeryeak in the Theatre National de Chaillot and the enlightening of the Eiffel Tower at the colors of the Taegeukgi were amazing events. French people highly appreciate the various exhibitions, shows and concerts organized throughout France, such as the exhibitions Korea Now! or Seoul Vite Vite!, Korean street-food festival in Paris, or the Idiotape show, just to mention some of them. Thanks to these events, they will better understand traditional and modern Korean culture.
The Year of France in Korea will take place from March to December 2016. On March 23, the new and exclusive creation of Jose Montalvo with the National Dance Company of Korea will be showcased. Several other high level events will show, end of March, the best of France’s creativity in all fields, including economy, education, science, gastronomy, or tourism. March 24 will also be the official day of Korea in French schools.
Next April, an important exhibition dedicated to French luxury and savoir faire, specifically created for Korean public, will open in the National Museum of Korea. Until December 2016, the French events in Korea will give the chance to the Korean public to discover our new talents: French electronic music producers and DJ, new graphic and furniture designers, young architects or comics writers for instance. Beyond culture, we will also present top French entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, or scholars. These events will be for all Koreans — young or elder people, in Seoul as well as in the other cities.
I hope that this very rich France-Korea Year will offer new opportunities for Korean and foreign publics to foster their interest in the France-Korea relationship and help develop new initiatives between our two countries.
Korea is a very dynamic and forward looking country with strong rooted traditions. As Korea, France values creativity and respect for traditions. Our two countries and our two people have definitely a lot to share and do together.
I wish a long life to Korea Times and thank you for your dedication and high quality work!