The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation’s creative opera, '순이삼촌' (Sun-i Samcheon), is set to make waves in France as it screens from April 15 to April 17, 2025, at the Marring-de-Si Cinema, part of the 'France Marring-de-Si April Cultural Event'. This event, organized by the Marring-de-Si Opera Festival Committee, runs from April 14 to April 17 and focuses on the theme of 'Opera and Asia'.
According to a representative from the Marring-de-Si, the screening aims to shed light on the historical events that transpired in Jeju and bring awareness to the French public. The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation has provided the screening video free of charge to facilitate this cultural exchange, ensuring that many citizens can witness this poignant piece without cost.
Alongside the opera screening, a promotional booth will be set up at the cinema, featuring materials such as a French-language overview of the Jeju 4·3 incident and distributing camellia badges to attendees. The opera, '순이삼촌', is based on a novel by Hyun Ki-young and was co-produced by the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation and the Jeju Arts Center. It first premiered in 2020 and has since been performed at various prestigious venues including the Jeju Arts Center, Gyeonggi Arts Center, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and Busan Cultural Center.
In a related event, the Jeju 4·3 International Special Exhibition: A Record of Truth and Reconciliation has opened in Paris, running from April 9 to April 15, 2025, at the Korean Pavilion of the Paris International University. This exhibition has garnered significant attention and support, particularly following the confirmation of the Jeju 4·3 archival materials as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a decision finalized on April 11, 2025.
The opening ceremony on April 11 was a momentous occasion, celebrating the recognition of 14,673 archival materials submitted to UNESCO, with key documents, survivor testimonies, and official government records on display. By April 13, over 400 visitors had explored the exhibition, demonstrating a keen interest in understanding the historical significance of the Jeju 4·3 incident.
A soprano, Kang Hye-myeong, who played a leading role in the opera, captivated attendees with her aria performance, adding an emotional depth to the exhibition. One French visitor remarked, "I learned about a little-known tragedy in modern Korean history and was deeply moved by the efforts of the Jeju people to resolve the conflict through reconciliation and harmony."
The exhibition also features a postcard depicting Lee Myung-bok’s artwork titled 'Waiting for You (2015)', set against the backdrop of Jeongbangpokpo, a site of historical significance during the 4·3 incident. This initiative allows visitors to take home a piece of the exhibition, ensuring that the memories of Jeju 4·3 are preserved.
Hyun Ki-young, the author of '순이삼촌', expressed the importance of the UNESCO registration, stating, "The recognition of the Jeju 4·3 memories and archival materials as a World Heritage Site will serve as a reminder of the horrors of war and state violence for humanity."
Lee Il-yeol, the director of the Korean Cultural Center in France, emphasized that the registration of the Jeju 4·3 materials as a World Heritage Site will serve as a motto for global peace. He stressed the significance of the recognition as a means to foster understanding and respect for human rights.
Kim Jong-min, director of the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation, highlighted the tragic history of the Jeju 4·3 incident, stating, "While Jeju 4·3 is a history of a tragedy that should never happen again, the way it has been overcome has transformed it into a proud history imbued with the spirit of peace and human rights."
Kim Chang-beom, president of the Jeju 4·3 Victims Association, reiterated the importance of making the Jeju 4·3 incident a leading example of resolving past issues that resonates globally. He emphasized the need for continued efforts to share this narrative with the world.
On the same day, Governor Oh Young-hoon conveyed a video message underscoring the significance of the 4·3 spirit, stating, "The spirit shown by the Jeju people during the 4·3 incident is a history of hope, where justice prevailed through the courage to face the truth." He expressed his hope that the UNESCO registration and the special exhibition would ensure that the Jeju 4·3 incident remains a part of the global memory in the name of peace.
As both the opera and the exhibition unfold, they serve as powerful reminders of the past and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation and understanding. The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation and its partners are committed to using these cultural platforms to promote awareness and foster dialogue about the historical events that shaped Jeju and its people.
