Korean Festival Brings Culture, K-Pop & Community to Luxembourg

On Thursday 16 April 2026, the Korean Cultural House in Luxembourg held the opening ceremony of its exhibition “K-POP MANIA – Korean Festival” at the Belle Etoile shopping centre, in the presence of Chun Young-Hee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Luxembourg, and Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

The exhibition showcases various aspects of Korean culture, including travel, books, K-beauty and K-food, alongside workshops and activities inspired by the world of K-pop, and will run until Saturday 25 April 2026.

In his opening speech, Laurent Schonckert, member of the Supervisory Board at Cactus, highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating: “More than the launch of an event, this is a celebration of cultural connection.” He noted that South Korea has become a “global cultural powerhouse” in recent years, with K-pop representing “energy, creativity and a universal language that brings people together”.

Also speaking at the opening, Xavier Bettel emphasised the importance of cultural exchange in fostering international understanding, stating: “We live in a moment where we think that differences are a weakness, whereas I believe that different cultures, languages and traditions are a strength of our diversity.”

He highlighted the historical ties between Luxembourg and South Korea, recalling the role of Luxembourg volunteers during the Korean War and the continued recognition of their contribution, noting that this remains a strong symbol of the relationship between the two countries. Minister Bettel also underlined the importance of bringing culture closer to the public, adding that such initiatives allow visitors to discover new traditions and experiences.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Chun Young-Hee said the festival aims to showcase a broad spectrum of Korean culture beyond K-pop, including cuisine, beauty, language and lifestyle, stating: “Through Korean culture, we can build bridges between our two countries and peoples.” He emphasised that such initiatives help strengthen people-to-people connections and mutual understanding between Luxembourg and South Korea, noting that cultural exchange plays an important role in building long-term relationships between the two countries.

Jinyoung Choi, President of the Korean Cultural House in Luxembourg, emphasised the role of the festival in bringing Korean culture closer to the local community, stating: “Our mission has always been to build a bridge of understanding and friendship through culture.” She highlighted that hosting the event at a major shopping centre allows for broader public engagement and helps make cultural exchange more accessible.

Jinyoung Choi added that the festival aims to offer visitors an immersive experience of Korean traditions, cuisine and contemporary culture over the coming days.

The programme also features a variety of interactive activities, including K-pop dance workshops and performances, calligraphy sessions, Korean skincare demonstrations and traditional craft workshops, alongside tastings and cultural showcases. Visitors also have the opportunity to take part in competitions, including a chance to win a trip to South Korea.

The opening event concluded with a networking session, where guests were invited to enjoy finger food and drinks.