The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that Minister Yoon Inchon and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on cooperation in the cultural sector at the French Ministry of Culture building in Paris on the 20th (local time).
Korea and France have agreed to strengthen the foundation for cultural cooperation between the two countries in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. The newly signed LOI for cultural cooperation specifies the concrete scope and areas of cooperation, including cultural heritage, cultural and artistic activities, and the cultural industry, thereby laying the groundwork for enhanced cultural collaboration.
Notably, this LOI further clarifies the scope of cooperation compared to the Korea-France Cultural and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed in 1965, thereby increasing the effectiveness of joint efforts. Specifically, it includes: establishing structured cooperation between institutions related to culture, arts, and heritage; collaboration in the production, performance, exhibition, and promotion of cultural and artistic activities; joint projects and exchanges in cultural industries such as film, audiovisual content, and games; and a commitment to expand exchanges across the cultural sector, including the protection, preservation, management, and accessibility of cultural, intangible, and natural heritage.
Yoon Inchon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo after signing a letter of intent for cultural cooperation on the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations with Rachida Dati, French Minister of Culture, at the French Ministry of Culture building in Paris on the 20th (local time). Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations, it plans to organize a variety of cultural exchanges centered on cultural and artistic institutions in both countries. These include a special event on the anniversary of diplomatic ties (June 4), Korea’s guest of honor program at the Paris Book Fair, and a Korea Focus program at the Avignon Festival. In addition, the ministry will pursue collaborations with major French local governments and regional cultural institutions. Korean cultural festivals will be held in French cultural hubs such as Tours, Nantes, Montpellier, and Toulouse, introducing a diverse array of Korean cultural content to regions where access to Korean culture has traditionally been limited.
France is a cultural powerhouse that possesses numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and has developed various cultural industries, including film and fashion. As of last year, France ranked first in the world for international tourist arrivals. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1886, Korea and France signed the Korea-France Cultural, Technical, and Scientific Agreement in 1965 and have promoted a wide range of cultural exchanges. In particular, to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016, the two countries held the 2015-2016 Korea-France Year of Mutual Exchange, as agreed upon by their leaders. This initiative set a record for the largest scale of intergovernmental exchanges at the time, with a total of 492 official events, including 389 in the cultural sector, and further strengthened the partnership between Korea and France.
Minister Yoon Inchon stated, "Korea and France have been friends who have maintained their relationship unchanged for 140 years since the signing of the Korea-France Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1886, despite changes in the international situation." He added, "With the signing of this LOI for cultural cooperation on the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we plan to promote a variety of cultural exchange events that both nations’ citizens can experience firsthand." He continued, "France is a cultural powerhouse with a long-standing heritage and has served as a center of European art, as well as being the world’s leading tourist destination with the highest number of international visitors. Recently, tickets for K-pop events have sold out immediately, and the Korean drama 'Boksak Sogat Suda' ranked number one on Netflix France, demonstrating the immense popularity of Korean pop culture and arts in France. There are many areas where we can work together."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
