Korean Selected as the Invited Language for 2026
First Time for a Single National Language
First Among Asian Countries
The Arts Management Support Center announced on July 23 that the Avignon Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world and a representative cultural event of France, has selected "Korean" as its official invited language for 2026. This marks the first time for an Asian language and the only instance for a single national language, making it a significant achievement that demonstrates the international standing of Korean performing arts.
Tiago Rodrigues, Artistic Director of the Avignon Festival (left in the photo), and Jangho Kim, CEO of the Arts Management Support Center, are holding a signing ceremony and taking a commemorative photo. Arts Management Support Center
Korean Selected as Invited Language...First Time for a Single National Language
The Avignon Festival, which began in 1947 under the initiative of director and actor Jean Vilar, is the largest performing arts festival in Europe. Every July, a wide range of works in theater, dance, and music are presented throughout the old city of Avignon, France. In recent years, the festival has expanded its scope to include literature, visual arts, and media arts, establishing itself as a comprehensive arts festival. More than 100,000 people visit each year, and many works introduced at the festival go on to international tours or co-productions, making it a gateway to the global stage for artists.
The "invited language" program was introduced by Artistic Director Tiago Rodrigues. This program focuses on highlighting the arts and culture of a specific language community. In previous years, English (2023), Spanish (2024), and Arabic (2025) were selected. The selection of Korean this year marks the first time a single national language has been designated as the invited language. It is also the first among Asian languages.
The Arts Management Support Center has signed an agreement with the Avignon Festival as the official partner institution for the Korean invited language program, and is preparing joint projects to showcase the diverse aspects of Korean performing arts at the 2026 Avignon Festival. Plans include the official invitation of Korean theater, dance, and performance works; collaborations in literature, film, and visual arts; artist talks and cultural forums; and the operation of a Korean Pavilion themed around "Korean language" identity. Through these initiatives, the center aims to expand the overseas market for Korean arts.
Korean Works Invited to Avignon Official Program (IN)...First Time in 28 Years Since 1998
Of particular note, multiple Korean works will be invited to the festival's main stage, the "Official Program (IN)." Unlike the "Off (OFF)" program, which allows open participation, the official program is highly selective, with only works that meet the festival's rigorous standards for artistic excellence and international competitiveness being chosen.
This is the first time since the "Aspiration of Asia" project in 1998?about 28 years ago?that Korean works have been invited to the official program of the Avignon Festival. With the selection of Korean as the invited language, the inclusion of multiple Korean works in the official program is expected to once again highlight the originality and global appeal of Korean performing arts on the world stage.
From a Connection in 2023 to Collaboration in 2026...Korean Invited Language Program in Full Swing
This decision originated from Artistic Director Tiago Rodrigues's visit to Korea in October 2023. He attended the Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF), organized and hosted by the Arts Management Support Center, where he was deeply impressed by the experimentation and depth of contemporary Korean art after directly experiencing works and meeting various Korean artists.
Since then, the Avignon Festival and SPAF have maintained a close collaborative relationship. In 2024, they jointly launched the "Transmission Impossible" project, supporting collaborative creation by emerging artists and providing opportunities for presentation at the festivals. In addition, the work "By Heart," directed and performed by Rodrigues, was staged at SPAF, further expanding engagement with Korean audiences. Building on this exchange, the "Korean Invited Language" program for 2026 is now being actively promoted by both festivals and institutions.
Jangho Kim, CEO of the Arts Management Support Center, stated, "The selection of 'Korean' as the invited language at this year's Avignon Festival is a golden opportunity to introduce the challenge, emotion, and internationalism of Korean performing arts to the world." He added, "Through continued exchange between the Avignon Festival and SPAF, we will expand the ecosystem for Korean performing arts abroad and broaden the horizons of cultural exchange through language."
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