PARIS — To commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France, Gyeongsangbuk-do has launched the special Hanji exhibition titled “HANJIMANIA” at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris on September 10, 2026. Ahead of the official public opening, South Korean First Lady Kim Hye-kyung and French First Lady Brigitte Macron visited the exhibition together on September 8 (local time) to explore exquisite Hanji craft and design works. 

Jointly hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux of France, and organized by the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization Content Bureau, the exhibition runs for 18 days until September 27. Selected as an official program of the world-renowned design festival Paris Design Week, the exhibition is co-curated by South Korean director Kang Eun-ahn and French director Catherine Érard.

The exhibition features 17 craft objects—including lighting installations and artistic sculptures—created through a collaborative effort between 6 French designers and 11 Korean artists, using traditional Hanji raw materials from Mungyeong and Andong. Traditional Hanji produced by Master Artisan Kim Sam-sik of Mungyeong is globally renowned for its exceptional durability and is famously utilized for cultural heritage restoration at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

During the private tour, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung introduced Hanji to First Lady Brigitte Macron, explaining that "Hanji is crafted using traditional techniques with paper mulberry fibers, boasting outstanding preservation qualities and durability. It is a precious cultural heritage asset widely utilized in restoring artifacts in major international institutions like the Louvre Museum." First Lady Kim also expressed her sincere hope that Hanji would be officially inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list this coming December, allowing its timeless value to be shared more widely with humanity. 

The two First Ladies also engaged in a symbolic participatory performance, slotting Mungyeong Hanji sheets into a structural artwork to complete a piece together, followed by a warm embrace that highlighted the close cultural bond between the two nations. Furthermore, singer Hwasa, who participated in the exhibition events, presented the First Ladies with a special music album packaged in a custom Hanji case. 

The grand opening ceremony on September 10 brought together prominent figures from the cultural and artistic sectors, including UNESCO representatives, the President of the French National Heritage Authority, and the Chairman of Paris Design Week. Throughout the exhibition period, Gyeongsangbuk-do will host cooperative programs such as a Korea-France Hanji Roundtable to foster bilateral dialogue. This event serves as a vital stepping stone to broaden international awareness and global consensus ahead of the official UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription announcement for Hanji slated for late 2026. 

Park Chan-woo, Director-General of Culture, Tourism and Sports at Gyeongsangbuk-do, noted, "Hanji is a treasured cultural heritage of Gyeongbuk that has endured a thousand years, as well as an eco-friendly future industry holding sustainable value. Through this special exhibition, we aim to enhance the global brand value of Gyeongbuk's 'Five Han (한) Culture'—Hanji, Hansik (food), Hanbok (clothing), Hanok (architecture), and Hangeul (alphabet)—while further expanding international cooperation and support for Hanji's UNESCO inscription."

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