Discover the Korean library

From 4 to 25 July 2026, the Cloître Saint-Louis will host a library exhibition dedicated to Korean literature at the heart of the Festival d’Avignon.

Set within the gardens of the Festival’s headquarters, this library exhibition has been conceived and organised by the Korean Cultural Center as part of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. It invites visitors to discover the richness and diversity of a literary tradition that has accompanied the major transformations of Korean society for more than seventy years.

Nearly 250 books in Korean and French are brought together in an open reading space, offering an exceptional overview of the major works of modern and contemporary Korean literature. Through novels, poetry collections, essays and plays, the exhibition highlights the writers who have given voice to the upheavals of Korean history, from the Liberation of 1945 to the questions and challenges of the contemporary world.

The exhibition also traces the history of Korean literature, shaped by war, the division of the peninsula, years of dictatorship, democratisation and the profound social changes that have transformed the country.

A dedicated section explores the history of Korean theatre, from the traditions of pansori to contemporary stage creation. Visitors are invited to discover the close connections between literature, orality and the performing arts, echoing the Festival d’Avignon’s programme, which this year places the Korean language in the spotlight.

A special section pays tribute to Han Kang, the first Asian woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her works, shaped by themes of memory, the body, violence and resilience, testify to the universal resonance of Korean literature today.

The journey continues through a literary exploration of Korea, highlighting different regions of the country and the writers who have given them a distinctive voice. From Seoul to Jeju, from Gangwon to Jeolla, each territory reveals its own landscapes, memories and sensibilities.

Conceived as a space for discovery, encounter and dialogue, this library invites visitors to browse freely, explore new literary horizons and connect with the great voices of Korea. Between history and creation, memory and imagination, this library exhibition offers a unique opportunity to discover a literature that, while telling the story of Korea, engages with universal and deeply human questions.