European Night of Museums & Korean Culture

Korean Contemporary Art Takes Over Paris’s European Night of Museums

The European Night of Museums becomes the stage for a celebration of contemporary Korean artistic creation as the Korean Cultural Center, in partnership with Paris Musées and the National Museum of Asian Arts Guimet, marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.

Dance, pansori, rituals, workshops, and performances will take place across several Parisian museums on Saturday, May 23, during an evening open to all. These events bring together heritage and contemporary creation. In addition, as museums across France and Europe open their doors free of charge from dusk until midnight, this special program offers visitors an opportunity to experience Korean contemporary culture. Concurrently, visitors experience this in conversation with some of Paris’s most iconic cultural institutions.

On this occasion, visitors are invited to discover a series of performances conceived in dialogue with the identity and unique atmosphere of each partner institution.

Here are the events of the European Night of Museums that will punctuate this evening dedicated to the contemporary Korean art scene:

The Musée d’Art Moderne

The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris hosts the “Ahn Eun-me Company’s Nuit Blanche des Fauves, La Nuit de Baekman”. Specifically known for visually striking contemporary dance works, the company brings its experimental approach to movement and performance.

Maison de Victor Hugo

At the same time the Maison de Victor Hugo, the Ip Koa Son Collective presents “Pansori Les Misérables, Passengers of the 99 Ship,” a reinterpretation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece through pansori, the Korean tradition of sung storytelling. Through narrative vocals, ritual percussion, and performative fragments, the production creates what organizers describe as an “epic contemporary fresco.” In doing so, the performance connects Korean oral tradition with one of the most iconic works of French literature.

Musée Bourdelle

At the Musée Bourdelle, choreographer and dancer Jae-Hyun An joins geomungo musician E’Joung-Ju for a performance where sculpture, movement, and sound intersect. Meanwhile, the geomungo, a traditional Korean zither, becomes part of a sensory dialogue within Antoine Bourdelle’s former studio. As a result, the performance creates a direct exchange between Korean musical tradition and the museum’s sculptural environment.

Musée Guimet

At the Musée Guimet, the Baru Company revisits Korean shamanic and Buddhist ritual traditions through dance and traditional singing. According to program notes, the performance draws inspiration from practices such as Yeongsanjae, Jindo Ssitgimgut, and Byeolsingut. The event transforms the museum into a space centered on spirituality, ritual, and collective experience.

The broader 2026 Korean cultural programming also extends beyond the Night of Museums itself. As part of the 140th anniversary celebrations, the National Museum of Asian Arts Guimet is dedicating a major year-long focus to Korean culture. This includes exhibitions, installations, and performances exploring both historical traditions and contemporary Korean influence.

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