French embassy unveils diverse cultural events scheduled through 2025

French artist Mona Oren, left, and French sculptor Floryan Varennes, second from left, along with French Embassy officials, participate in a press conference highlighting the French cultural program for the second half of 2025 at the French Embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

The French Embassy in Seoul unveiled its cultural program Tuesday for the second half of 2025, featuring a diverse array of events ranging from art exhibitions and film screenings to music festivals and educational workshops across Korea.

Speaking at the press conference, Agathe Vinson, audiovisual attachée at the embassy, emphasized the importance of fostering mutual cultural exchange.

“While Korean content like video games and webtoons have already made significant inroads into the French market, French content often takes longer to gain traction here,” Vinson said. “That’s why our efforts focus not only on showcasing works but also on ensuring their dissemination. France and Korea are highly complementary in this space, with exceptional talent on both sides.”

The calendar kicks off with a solo exhibition by French sculptor Floryan Varennes in Busan, following his artist residency at Villa Busan from June 1 to Aug. 31. His project, inspired by the city’s "haenyeo" (female divers) community, will be showcased at Hongti Art Center from Aug. 11 to 24.

French sculptor Floryan Varennes speaks about his work honoring the haenyeo, or female divers, which will be showcased at the Hongti Art Center from Aug. 11 to 24, during a press conference at the French Embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

Varennes noted that over the past decade, he has felt French culture becoming increasingly attuned not only to Korea, but also to Japan and Thailand — something he attributes to the dynamic cultural exchange between France and Asia.

“Lately, there’s been a steady rise in educational and collaborative efforts across film, animation and music,” he said.

“When I first arrived, I didn’t go through any major cultural shock. The food, the mindset — many things felt familiar, which helped me settle in and naturally incorporate local influences into my work.”

The embassy is also spotlighting French classical musicians, including performances by violinist Olivier Charlier and pianist Emmanuel Strosser at the PyeongChang Music Festival (July 25-Aug. 2) and a concert by Trio Wanderer at Seoul Arts Center on Aug. 6.

Meanwhile, Seoul Arts Center will host a blockbuster exhibition featuring works by Cézanne and Renoir starting Sept. 19.

France will also have a significant presence at Frieze Seoul from Sept. 3 to 6, with top French galleries such as Perrotin and Kamel Mennour in attendance.

Highlighting youth engagement, the embassy’s cultural and language divisions will hold a series of bilingual French workshops for children at public libraries in Seoul throughout July and August.

This fall, French performing arts will take center stage at major festivals, including the Seoul International Performing Arts Festival and the Seoul Street Arts Festival. The latter will feature Le Grand Jeté’s Bis Repetita, while choreographer Mourad Merzouki’s Company Käfig will tour Daegu, Gimhae and Gangneung from Sept. 10 to 20.

Film lovers can expect French cinematic offerings at the Busan International Film Festival, DMZ Docs and the Jeju French Film Festival. French participation in BroadCast WorldWide 2025 and the French-Korean Cinema Academy also underline the growing collaboration between both countries’ film industries.

Meanwhile, digital art will be in focus during Novembre Numérique, a nationwide celebration of digital creativity in November, with exhibitions and workshops in Seoul, Incheon and Gwangju.

The cultural lineup underscores France’s soft power strategy through public diplomacy and its growing creative partnership with Korea. “We aim to collaborate from the very beginning — at the creation level — on global content,” Vinson said.