Reopening of the Korean Cultural Center: we were there, we tell you about it

The Korean Cultural Center has moved! The institution has moved from the 16th arrondissement and Avenue d'Iéna to 20, rue de la Boétie, in the 8th arrondissement. The atmosphere is hushed, despite the eagerness of all employees to settle the final details. Wednesday November 20, 2019 is the big night: the inauguration of the new premises of the Korean Cultural Center.

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The new address marks a turning point for the Centre. According to Georges Arsenijevic, technical advisor to the Centre Culturel, the new buildings "better reflect thegrowth of Korean culture in France, which is more widely known these days. Korean culture attracts many curious people, and we want to welcome them and help them discover all that Korea has to offer".

This change of location is synonymous with success for the Korean Cultural Center, which intends to welcome ever more visitors. To achieve this, the Center has moved into an area five times larger than the previous one: the institute now has 3,756 m², spread over 6 floors.

On Rue de la Boétie, former offices have been refurbished and adapted to Korean culture. The Centre Culturel has put its stamp on the premises, with minimalist decor and dedicated spaces to discover the "land of the morning calm" from every angle.

Different activities on every floor

Entering the first floor, the first rooms plunge us into thetraditional world of Korea. We discover the interior of a Korean home, the different elements that make up their art of the table, and even an area devoted to the Korean alphabet, where virtual reality headsets reveal the secrets of this language. A final, more modern area showcases contemporary Korean cinema and music.

These rooms are small, permanentexhibition spaces that gently introduce us to Korean culture. On the first and second floors, temporary exhibitions focus on a particular aspect of Korean culture. To open the ball, the Korean Cultural Center presents Tekkal, colors of Korea, until February 14, 2020. A second temporary exhibition focuses on webtoon comics, which Koreans love to read online.

The Korean Cultural Center has equipped itself with new spaces to meet the demands of its visitors. A 120-seat auditorium is ready to host concerts, conferences, meetings, singing and dance workshops... The fifth floor houses cooking workshops, much in demand by the public. A library offers 19,000 books, CDs and DVDs in Korean, French and English. These documents can be borrowed or consulted on site, in the Center's reading room.

The Centre Culturel Coréen offers a wide range of activities for all Parisians. Whether you're a fan of K-pop or curious about Korean traditions, you'll easily find an activity to suit your tastes and desires.

All activities offered by the Center, from film screenings and concerts to language and cooking classes, are free of charge. Keep an eye on the Korean Cultural Center's program: space is limited, so register on their website to take part in the activities that appeal to you.

To travel without leaving Paris, head to 20, rue de la Boétie and live Korean-style for a workshop or an exhibition.