Yangcheon District to Host "Paris Park Cultural Festival" on the 12th for the 140th Anniversary of Korea-France Relations

Outdoor Opera "Carmen"
Seven Themes Featuring Performances, Gourmet Cuisine, and Cultural Experiences

Yangcheon District in Seoul (Mayor Lee Gijae) announced on the 7th that it will host the "2026 Paris Park Cultural Festival – Opera in Paris" at Mokdong Paris Park on September 12 at 12:30 p.m.

Last year at the Paris Park Cultural Festival, Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, is experiencing French culture. Provided by Yangcheon District Office.

This year’s festival has been selected by the French Embassy in Korea as an official event to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. The celebration will again take place at Paris Park, which was established in 1987 to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The theme is the "Belle Époque," the pinnacle of French culture and art. Masterpieces will be displayed throughout the park, evoking the romantic atmosphere of late 19th-century Paris.

The festival features seven themed programs, including the French Culture Concert, Misheullin Guide, Wine Festa, Petit Flea Market, Yangcheon Atelier, Mok5 Sion World, and Mok5 Land. Visitors can enjoy performances, gourmet food, cultural experiences, and entertainment all in one place.

The highlight of the festival is the district’s first outdoor concert opera, "Carmen," performed by the Noble Arts Opera Company at the Korea-France Square starting at 6:30 p.m. Before the opera, Mok5-dong residents and local schools and clubs will present stage performances as well as chanson performances.

The "Misheullin Guide" offers an outdoor bistro serving both French cuisine and K-food, while the "Wine Festa" will showcase French and domestic wines. French-run bakery and French food booths, along with French artisan vendors participating in the "Petit Flea Market," will further increase local engagement.

At "Yangcheon Atelier," visitors can experience beginner French lessons provided by the French Embassy’s language center, as well as create Art Nouveau-style moss picture frames. "Mok5 Land" offers rail trains, Viking seesaws, and sports activities, while "Mok5 Sion World" features a musical fountain and water play.

This year, to promote a "festival to enjoy while staying in the park," additional canopies and rest areas will be set up, and a picnic zone will be organized on the lawn. By placing "Mok5 Land" at the two basketball courts, movement flows have been expanded to decrease density.

Mayor Lee Gijae said, “This year’s festival is especially meaningful as it celebrates the 140th anniversary of Korea-France relations at Paris Park, which was originally created to mark the centennial. I hope everyone will enjoy the romance and art of the Belle Époque, outdoor opera, and French cultural experiences all in one place, creating special autumn memories at Paris Park in the heart of the city.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.