Seocho-gu: ‘140th Anniversary of Korea-France Relations Festival’ to be Held at Banpo Hangang Park for Youth Day

The Seoul Seocho-gu is hosting the '2026 3rd Seocho Youth FESTA × 140th Anniversary of Korea-France Relations Festival: Bonjour, Fête!' at Banpo Hangang Park to celebrate both Youth Day and the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Scheduled for Saturday, September 12, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this festival offers visitors a chance to experience a diverse array of Korean and French cultural elements, all planned and curated by young people.

Celebrating Youth Day and 140 Years of Korea-France Diplomacy

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Sung-soo) announced that in honor of Youth Day on September 19, the '2026 3rd Seocho Youth FESTA × 140th Anniversary of Korea-France Relations Festival: Bonjour, Fête!' will take place on Saturday, September 12, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Banpo Hangang Park and the area surrounding the Yebitseom Island. Youth Day is a legal holiday established in 2020 under the Framework Act on Youth to promote the rights and development of young people on the third Saturday of every September.

Now in its third year, the 'Seocho Youth FESTA' is a premier youth festival in Seocho-gu that is both planned and actively participated in by young people. This year, the event has partnered with the arts and culture organization 'Aim Arts & Culture' to mark the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations. The organization, which specializes in brass music, is contributing to the festival's vibrant atmosphere through projects such as the 'Young Artists x Brass Band' collaboration.

Set against the backdrop of Banpo Hangang Park, the festival will offer a variety of interactive content and celebratory performances throughout the day and evening. Banpo Hangang Park is a prominent waterfront space in Seoul, famous for the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's longest bridge fountain at 1,140 meters. The 140th anniversary of Korea-France relations in 2026 is being treated as a national-level joint project, encompassing all fields of exchange, including culture, art, academia, digital technology, economy, gastronomy, tourism, and education.

Cultural Experiences of Korea and France for the Senses

Starting at 12:00 PM, 18 experience booths themed around Korea, France, and youth will operate at the Banpo Hangang Park. The venue will be decorated in a color scheme of red, blue, and white, allowing visitors to follow the path and explore the unique cultural charms of both nations.

The French culture zone features programs designed to engage the senses, such as creating personalized scents at the 'French Perfume Workshop,' decorating 'Madeleine' cookies, a photo experience where visitors can dress like Parisians with berets, Montmartre-style caricatures, and Marseille-themed tarot and astrology readings.

The Korean culture zone will provide opportunities to engage directly with globally recognized K-Culture. Activities include 'K-Beauty Styling' to emulate the looks of K-pop idols, a 'Mother-of-pearl Keycap Keychain' workshop that blends tradition with modern MZ-generation tastes, and a session on making sweet traditional snacks known as 'Oranda'.

Unique Programs Born from Youth Creativity

A standout feature of this year's festival is the inclusion of programs ideated by young people themselves. The Seocho-gu youth social contribution organization, 'Seoripul Youth Crew,' has been involved in the entire process from concept development and planning to on-site operations, ensuring a collection of creative content that resonates with today's youth.

Key programs include a 'World Tour Passport' mission that simulates immigration screening and global travel, a French literature recommendation booth where visitors can receive a book suggestion paired with a matching drink, and 'AI Time Photo' booths that use a single snapshot to show visitors their past, present, and future selves.

Evening Performances Against the Backdrop of a Sunset at Hangang River

As sunset approaches, the performances will begin at the Yebitseom Island. The Yebitseom Island is part of Sebitseom Island, serving as a floating stage equipped with a large LED screen that also functions as a media art gallery.

The pre-show will feature an energetic set by the youth band 'Shall We Funk' to ramp up the festival's excitement. This will be followed by the Youth Day commemoration ceremony, which includes an awards presentation for the winners of the 'Top 10 Real Youth Policies,' a project where young people proposed and selected policies as part of the 'Seocho Prime Era 2: 100-Day Rapid Start Project.'

Following the awards, singer-songwriter Gyeongseo, known for hit tracks like 'Shiny Star' and 'My X,' will take the main stage. With the clear sky of late summer and the sunset over Hangang River as a backdrop, her melodic performance is expected to provide an unforgettable moment for the audience.

In addition, a special performance commemorating the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic ties will be held. This show will use music to illustrate the history of cultural exchange and friendship between the two nations, providing a seamless transition from the daytime activities into the evening festivities.

Admission to Banpo Hangang Park is free, and festival-goers are encouraged to use public transportation. Visitors arriving via Subway Lines 3, 7, or 9 at Express Bus Terminal Station can now reach Banpo Hangang Park directly through the recently opened underground public pedestrian walkway, significantly improving accessibility without needing to surface.

Furthermore, the eco-friendly 'Hangang River Haet-chi Car' electric shuttle will be available to provide free transportation within the park, looping between key locations including Dongjak Station, Seoraeseom Island, and Sebitseom Island, making movement throughout the area much more convenient.