Busan Metropolitan City has partnered with the Korean Cultural Center in France to present the “2023 Korean Festival – Taste Korea! – Busan Special Event” in Paris from May 30 to September 16, 2023.
The annual event, celebrating its fifth year, puts a spotlight on a chosen theme, presenting Korean cuisine and outstanding cultural and artistic content to the local Parisian audience. The objective is to elevate interest in Korean culture and tourism through this massive cultural event.
With the decision to host the 2030 Busan World Expo coming up in November, this year’s festival is focusing on Busan, showcasing the city’s history, food, culture, and tourism. The event aims to raise awareness and support for Busan’s bid for the Expo.
The location of the festival is strategic: Paris is home to the headquarters of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), where representatives from various international exposition organizations reside. The Korean Cultural Center in France is set to serve as a promotional hub for the 2030 Busan World Expo through the event.
Notable Korean entities such as Busan City, the bid committee, government departments, related agencies, and leading Korean companies including Woori Bank, LG Electronics, and Samsung Electronics have collaborated to prepare a diverse program. The lineup includes opening ceremonies, exhibitions, performances, conferences, cultural experiences, Korean food receptions, Korean film screenings, and promotional booths for the Busan World Expo.
A highlight of the event is the exhibition held at the Korean Cultural Center in France, which features three exhibitions designed to promote Busan and its candidacy for the 2030 Expo. These exhibitions have been attracting a considerable number of domestic and international visitors since the opening.
Performances, conferences, and hands-on experiences introducing Busan’s vibrant traditional cultural heritage are also set to be part of the festival, presented by the National Gugak Center in Busan.
In addition, the 2030 Busan World Expo promotional booth installed at the Korean Cultural Center in France pays homage to the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition’s Korean Empire Pavilion. The booth, utilizing traditional Korean ‘lines’ in its design, exhibits modern reinterpretations of items popular at the time of the Paris Universal Exposition, such as tiles and traditional Korean hats, and operates an interactive photo zone using augmented reality.
Furthermore, a reception featuring Korean cuisine was held on May 30, introducing signature dishes of Busan to influential locals, journalists, and influencers.
The festival includes a pop-up café replicating “Mildawon,” a famous coffee house in Busan during the refuge period, offering a unique experience to taste Busan’s food and get a glimpse of its past.
Busan’s Mayor Park expressed his gratitude to the Korean Cultural Center in France for organizing this large-scale event in Paris, a hub of European culture. He emphasized the importance of the “2023 Korean Festival – Taste Korea! Busan Special Event” in promoting Busan as a city brand and in securing worldwide support and consensus for hosting the 2030 World Expo in Busan.
