Over 50 members of the Korean community in France, including students from the French Korean School, gathered in the small town of Suippes on November 11th to commemorate the end of World War I and pay tribute to their ancestors who played a significant role in the town's history.
Suippes, located approximately 200 kilometers east of Paris, holds a special place in the hearts of Korean-French people. Over a century ago, Korean laborers from Murmansk, Russia, settled in this town, establishing the Jae Pháp Gukminhoe (Korean National Association in France) in 1919 and organizing a commemoration ceremony for the first anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement in 1920. These events are considered the foundation of the Korean community in France.
To mark the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to France in 2019, a grand ceremony was held in Suippes, and a commemorative monument was erected near the town hall. Since then, the Korean community has returned annually to honor the memory of their ancestors and strengthen ties with the local community.
The commemoration began with a visit to the war memorial and cemetery in Suippes, followed by a ceremony at the Korean immigration monument. The event featured performances by the French Korean School children, who sang traditional Korean folk songs with local children, and a powerful rendition of "Cheongsane Sallira" by tenor Tae-rang Kim from the Metz National Opera.
After the ceremony, participants enjoyed a traditional Korean lunch and visited the Main de Massiges, a World War I historical site.
The annual commemoration in Suippes serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions made by Korean immigrants to France and the enduring spirit of the Korean community. It also highlights the importance of preserving history and fostering intercultural exchange.
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