Dijon Korean School in France Experiences K-Confucian Culture ‘Yuram Ilji’ Program Hosted by Korea Confucian Culture Promotion Agency

The Korea Confucian Culture Promotion Agency (hereafter ‘Hanyujin,’ Director Jeong Jae-geun), preparing for traditional culture international exchange projects promoted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in anticipation of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France in 2026, introduced the value of K-Confucian and traditional culture and promoted Korean-French cultural amity through an exchange with the Dijon Korean School in France, which visited Hanyujin.

Sixteen students (including teachers) from the Dijon Korean School in France participated in Hanyujin's educational program, ‘Yuram Ilji’ (Wandering Diary), for two days and one night from April 25th to 26th to learn and experience Korean Confucian culture and traditional culture. ‘Yuram Ilji’ is a K-Confucian culture-specialized program consisting of lectures, experiences, and field trips utilizing Confucian culture, and it has been actively operated by Hanyujin since its opening. So far, it has been attended by domestic participants as well as diplomatic mission officials from over 10 countries including Germany, Turkey, Peru, and Kuwait, and individuals from around the world, including the University of Leeds in the UK.

The Dijon Korean School was established in 2006 with the authorization of the Korean Embassy in France. Currently, over 130 overseas Koreans and local students are learning Korean language, history, and culture, and it is known as a leading Korean language and K-Wave education institution in France.

This ‘Yuram Ilji’ program included a K-Heritage tour (Donam Seowon Confucian Academy, Jonghakdang Clan School, Sunshine Land) centered on the Confucian cultural heritage of Nonsan City, a lecture titled ‘K-Confucianism Guidebook’ to learn about Korean Confucian culture, which is the foundation of K-Culture including K-POP and K-dramas, and detailed programs for participants to experience and enjoy various aspects such as ‘Scholar's Tea Ceremony,’ ‘Scholar's Writing (Calligraphy),’ and ‘Scholar's Artistic Spirit (Fusion Korean Music Performance).’

Among the field trip courses, Jonghakdang, also known for its beautiful scenery, is a clan education institution established in the Joseon Dynasty for the education of descendants of the Papyeong Yoon clan, producing 42 successful applicants in the civil service examination over 280 years. It was designated as a Chungcheongnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage in 1997 and is also one of the 11 scenic views of Nonsan along with Hanyujin. Donam Seowon is a sacred site of the Giho school of Neo-Confucianism, imbued with the spirit of Ye-hak (ritual studies) of the great scholar of the Joseon Dynasty, Sagyee Kim Jang-saeng. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 under the title ‘Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.’

Following the K-Heritage tour, the French students experienced traditional tea culture and the tea ceremony during the ‘Scholar's Tea’ session, taking time for reflection and rest. Through ‘Scholar's Writing,’ they engaged in Korean calligraphy, emulating the way scholars cultivated themselves through writing. In ‘Scholar's Artistic Spirit,’ a fusion performance of Gayageum (Korean zither) and tap dance, combining traditional Korean music with modern dance, created a lively festival atmosphere for everyone to enjoy together.

The visit of the Dijon Korean School was promoted as part of ‘Glocal Education’ to broaden understanding of the cultures of both Korea and France. The students showed high satisfaction with their special experiences during the two-day and one-night ‘Yuram Ilji’ program based on Hanyujin's unique K-Confucian culture.

Noh Seon-ju, Principal of the Dijon Korean School, stated, “It was a meaningful time for the students to deeply feel the spirit of Korea through lectures, field trips, and various experiences together with Hanyujin, which has wonderful spaces and harmonious facilities. Currently, about 1,200 Korean schools and Korean language education institutions worldwide are learning about Korean culture and spirit, and we hope they will visit Hanyujin to learn and experience it.”

A student from the Dijon Korean School who participated in ‘Yuram Ilji’ said, “I originally liked tea, so I enjoyed learning about Korean traditional tea culture, and the fusion traditional performance with a rhythm rarely seen in France was particularly unique. The traditional atmosphere and stories of the visited sites were as mysterious and surprising as Korean dramas. It was especially impressive because the program was uniquely offered by Hanyujin in connection with local cultural heritage.”

Jeong Jae-geun, Director of Hanyujin, commented, “A new foundation for Korean-French cultural exchange has been laid as students from France directly participated in and communicated through Hanyujin's K-Confucian culture education program, ‘Yuram Ilji.’ We hope this has been an opportunity to deeply understand the spirit and values inherent in our Confucian and traditional culture, the roots of K-Culture, and Hanyujin will continue to lead cultural exchange with various countries around the world.”