The Adam Mickiewicz Institute is strengthening its cooperation with the Republic of Korea
The Adam Mickiewicz Institute, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Seoul, has signed agreements on collaboration with three key partners in the field of visual arts in Korea – Gwangju Biennale Foundation, Seoul Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. This marks a strategic step towards reinforcing relations between Poland and Korea, consistently built for over 35 years now, and a promise of further ambitious intercontinental artistic projects.
More than a decade of consistent presence of Polish culture in Korea
For many years now, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute has been bringing Polish culture closer to the Korean public through the implementation of projects in the area of visual arts, theatre, film, and music, and has been working on extending knowledge on Polish culture on the Korean Peninsula. In the last 12 years, over 250 events and 40 study visits were organised, with the participation and involvement of curators, artists, and representatives of the most important Korean institutions. This long-term presence has contributed to durable relations with Korea’s cultural society and the most important cultural institutions, thus forming a basis for new initiatives. The year 2024 was unique in terms of the number of events celebrating the 35th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, providing an impetus for subsequent actions of the Institute [more information about the projects to be found below].
Polish culture in Korea in 2025
This year has also been very intense. The Korean audience has a chance to watch the exhibition “The Clothed Home” at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, as well as works of Polish artists at Jeonnam Ink Biennale and Cheongju Craft Biennale. Koreans will also be able to attend a film festival organised in cooperation with Cinematheque in Seoul, during which films directed by Wojciech Jerzy Has will be screened. At the Seoul Performing Arts Festival, viewers will have an opportunity to watch Łukasz Twarkowski’s theatre performance “The Employees”, as well as VR vnLab projects brought to life in cooperation with the Korea Foundation.
Long-term collaboration with Korean partners
“We are aware of the immense significance of relationships built for years, as they yield such unique projects. For us, signing the agreements with Korea’s key cultural institutions is an honour and commitment to further intensify the artistic dialogue” – emphasises Dr Olga Wysocka, Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
New agreement with the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, signed with its President, Youn Bum-mo, guarantees continuity of Polish presence at this prestigious event through organising the Polish pavilion at the coming editions.
“The Gwangju Biennale Foundation is honoured to establish cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. In the light of signing of this agreement, we are hoping for the development of cultural exchange and fruitful cooperation between Korea and Poland. This agreement will strengthen our involvement in promoting dialogue in the field of contemporary art on the global scale even more” – says Youn Bum-mo, Director of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation.
Memoranda signed with the Seoul Museum of Art and MMCA constitute a point of departure for the execution of residence programmes as well as joint exhibition projects.
“The Seoul Museum of Art carries out various international collaboration projects with major art institutions around the world,” says Choi Eunju, Director General of SeMA. She adds, “Signing the agreement with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute will serve as an impetus for meaningful cooperation with leading Polish art museums.”
“Korea and Poland share numerous cultural features, and during my visit I immediately felt a natural bond between our countries. Poland is globally known for its cinematography, but I was equally highly amazed by a vibrant contemporary art scene and unique handicraft. These experiences have left a lasting impression on me. When art and culture set directions, they open wide a door to exchanges of ideas in other fields too. I am truly hoping that this collaboration will become a significant catalyst of deeper and more dynamic cultural relations between Korea and Poland” – said Dr Sunghee Kim, Director of MMCA – National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
To learn more about Polish-Korean cooperation and events organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Korea, please take a look at the following additional materials:
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„Poland and South Korea – strategic partners with a growing connection”, Oskar Pietrewicz, 2024;
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“Katastematic Pleasures” – an exhibition at the Polish Pavilion at the 15th Gwangju Biennale;
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Artists and curators participating in Korean projects: Aleksandra Kędziorek, Centrala, Alicja Bielawska, Paweł Janicki, IP Group, Maciej Markowski, Przemysław Jasielski, Alicja Klich, Madina Mahomedova, Immortal Onion, Piotr Damasiewicz, Kinga Głyk, Małe Instrumenty.
The Adam Mickiewicz Institute (AMI) brings Polish culture to people all around the world. Being a state institution, it kindles durable interest in Polish culture and art through strengthening the presence of Polish artists on the global scene. It initiates innovative projects, supports international cooperation and cultural exchange. It promotes work of both recognised and promising artists, revealing diversity and richness of our culture. The Adam Mickiewicz Institute also runs the Culture.pl portal, intended as a comprehensive source of knowledge about Polish culture. More information: www.iam.pl.
Media contact:
Zuzanna Tartanus
[email protected]
