Busan Launches 'Villa Busan' in Partnership with Cannes and French Embassy

Busan, South Korea - Busan, known for its growing role as a cultural powerhouse in Asia, has taken another step forward by joining hands with the city of Cannes and the French Embassy in Korea. On October 2, 2024, these parties celebrated the launch of ‘Villa Busan,’ a creative residency program housed at Hongti Art Center.

In a move that underscores the power of international cultural diplomacy, Busan City has formalized a partnership with Cannes and the French Embassy in Korea to establish the 'Villa Busan' artist residency. The partnership was officially signed during a ceremony held at Hongti Art Center on October 2, 2024.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard, and French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux were among the key figures present to sign the agreement, marking a significant step toward strengthening cultural exchange between France and Korea. This residency is the first of its kind in Korea and aims to foster the development of artists from both countries through mutual exchange.

The agreement between Busan, Cannes, and the French Embassy outlines a collaborative framework to support artists through various means. Busan will offer studio space and accommodations for up to three months at the Hongti Art Center, allowing selected artists to fully immerse themselves in their creative work. Meanwhile, the French Embassy will provide additional logistical support by covering the artists' round-trip airfare and assigning bilingual coordinators to help bridge communication gaps and facilitate smoother integration into the residency.

On the financial side, Cannes has committed to offering 6,000 euros (approximately 8.9 million won) to cover artists' living expenses during their stay. This multi-faceted support highlights Busan's ambition to establish itself as an international arts hub, while also extending Cannes’ cultural influence further into the Asian region​.

What is ‘Villa Busan’?

‘Villa Busan’ is set to become one of Asia’s most significant artist residency programs. Inspired by the successful Villa Kujoyama in Kyoto, Japan, Villa Busan is designed to promote cross-cultural artistic collaboration between French and Korean artists. The program is housed in the Hongti Art Center, a facility that has become synonymous with contemporary visual and installation art.

Since its establishment in 2013, Hongti Art Center has supported numerous artists from Korea and abroad, offering a unique space for creative exploration. Villa Busan is expected to amplify this role, drawing more international attention to the center.

The first artists selected for residency at Villa Busan are Chala Zencirci and Guillaume Giovannetti, an internationally acclaimed French-Turkish filmmaking duo. Their project, 'Ghost and Found', will focus on exploring the hidden stories of Busan through the medium of film. Over the next three months, they will be conducting interviews with local residents and uncovering personal and historical narratives that shape the city.

Their residency will culminate in a public exhibition of their work, scheduled to take place from November 6 to November 20, 2024, at Hongti Art Center. This exhibition will be an opportunity for the public to engage with their creative process and explore new perspectives on Busan.

As part of the city's broader commitment to fostering the arts, Busan City has allocated a budget of 1 billion won to renovate and improve Hongti Art Center. The upgrades aim to modernize the facility and provide a more conducive environment for both local and international artists. These efforts are expected to elevate the center's profile as a leading venue for contemporary visual arts in Korea.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon commented, "Art breaks down boundaries and creates new dimensions through collaboration. This project will significantly expand the artistic capabilities of both Busan and Cannes, fostering innovation and creativity. Our city is committed to supporting these exchanges, and we look forward to making Busan a global cultural center filled with artistic inspiration". His vision for Busan as an artistic and cultural center is shared by many in the city's administration, who see Villa Busan as a key stepping stone toward this goal​.