For its 80th edition, the Avignon Festival, which will take place from July 4 to 25, 2026, has chosen to highlight a scene still relatively unknown in Europe: that of South Korean performing arts. With 47 shows on the program, including 30 new productions, this edition aims to offer a fresh perspective on an artistic tradition often overshadowed by the international success of K-pop and television series.
A program focused on discovery
According to information released by AFP, South Korean works will represent approximately 21% of the program. This choice was made by the festival director, Tiago Rodrigues, who aims to move beyond the already popular forms of "soft power" to showcase more niche artistic expressions. Documentary theater, contemporary dance, and hybrid forms: this Korean presence promises to be diverse and ambitious.
Nine works from South Korea were selected, a first in nearly three decades according to the Yonhap news agency. Among the invited artists are Koo Jaha, winner of the 2026 International Ibsen Prize, as well as Lee Kyung-sung, Lee Jin-yeob, and Her Sung-im, demonstrating the diversity of contemporary stage writing.
Han Kang and Julien Gosselin at the heart of the edition
Literature will also be celebrated with the presence of South Korean novelist Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel laureate in literature. According to AFP, a bilingual performance reading of her work will be presented, featuring Isabelle Huppert and actress Hyeyoung Lee. One of her novels will also be adapted for the stage by Italian director Daria Deflorian.
The festival will open in the Cour d'honneur of the Palais des Papes with Maldoror, a five-hour spectacle by Julien Gosselin. Described by Tiago Rodrigues as a "large-scale" creation with great artistic freedom, this project follows in the tradition of ambitious productions that characterize each edition.
With 24 French and 25 international artists, the majority of whom are invited for the first time, this 2026 edition confirms the festival's commitment to renewing its voices. In parallel, the "off" festival will continue to enliven the city with hundreds of performances. This anniversary edition clearly focuses on openness and discovery, broadening the public's perspective beyond the established stages.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.