Mr Ambassador,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
I am very pleased to welcome you here this evening, at the Residence of France, to open this France-Korea cultural year. With Laurent Fabius, we had the great joy of inaugurating it in the presence of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, on the occasion of his official visit to Paris on 18 September.
It is my turn to go to Seoul, where I am also preparing the visit of President François Hollande, which will take place in the coming weeks, before going to Busan, for the Film Festival, with French filmmakers. I also welcome tonight the presence of KIM Dong-ho, its honorary director, whose presence honours us in particular.
France and Korea established their first diplomatic relations 130 years ago this year. I believe I can say today that they are particularly fruitful, for the greater benefit of both our countries, and I am delighted about that. We have much to share and much to do together to prepare for the future. This was the meaning of my warm exchanges this morning with Mrs PARK Guen-hye, President of the Republic of Korea. This is also the will I share with my Korean counterpart, Mr. KIM Jong-deok.
This cultural year is an opportunity to show it and to advance on the path of ever closer cooperation.
I am thinking of cultural cooperation. It is already very strong: the links that have been forged between the National Theatre of Chaillot and the National Theatre of Korea, which will give rise to a creation by José Montalvo with the National Dance Company of Korea, or those who unite the Palais de Tokyo to the Seoul Museum of Art. Since last month, France has been under the sign of Korea. From March, Korea will be under the sign of France. The exhibitions and events will meet, so that everyone will discover the best of contemporary creation in our respective countries. Whether it’s design or luxury, electro or baroque music, including dance, cinema of course, and contemporary art.
We intend to strengthen this cooperation, particularly with regard to the exchange of young artists and digital creation. In the coming days, I will sign an administrative arrangement with the Minister of Korean Culture in order to draw the main lines of this cooperation for the next five years. We will also reflect together on respect for copyright and cultural diversity, which are major issues today, both to preserve and strengthen the creativity of France and Korea.
Creativity, as you know, is today one of the first engines of our societies; I had the opportunity to mention it this morning at the Sookmyung Women’s University. Digital has increased opportunities for innovation, creation, transmission and sharing of knowledge and experience. A new paradigm is at work. A great change.
France, like Korea, have grasped its importance. And I want to pay tribute to the way in which you have laid the foundation for a “smart society”, broken down by innovation, but still itself. You have anchored this creativity in a heritage and a way of life that rightly make you proud. “Cultural prosperity” resonates with the cultural exception we have developed in France, where heritage and innovation also have their place.
We have talented entrepreneurs, know-how that makes us proud, bold creators, and we intend to share it together.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls launched last week the «Creative France» campaign designed by Business France, whose representatives I greet.
It is also, indirectly, the vocation of this France-Korea Year, which I am sure will help to strengthen the attractiveness of our country, and to make young people in particular want to discover the French language, our culture, our universities and our know-how. The logo for this cross-season was designed by a French company, and the French Embassy has set up an internet video platform, in partnership with Naver, to help young Koreans discover the French creativity of today.
The programming of this France-Korea Year is rich, here as in France, of events of very high quality. She owes much to the work of Henri Loyrette, President of the Year France-Korea, to that of Jonho Choe, national coordinator of the Year France-Korea, in charge of the artistic direction and Agnès Benayer, General Commissioner for France. My thanks also go in particular to the teams of our respective embassies, and for France, to Fabien Penone, who opens his doors today, as well as to the Institut Français.
Allow me also to salute the commitment of patrons, without whom this year could not have taken place. All have worked for this project with a conviction: to remember that culture is sharing, influence, creativity, freedom of expression. That it takes its roots in a history, a heritage, but also looks to the future, in keeping with modernity. Culture is essentially an exchange, building on common ground – and most often through celebration – it is simply a social project.
I hope that this France-Korea Year will bring us even closer to each other and experience the impact it deserves.
Thank you.