Exposition « La grotte de Seokguram : le Secret millénaire de l’art bouddhique »

On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, the Korean Cultural Centre, the city of Gyeongju, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of Korea present an exhibition dedicated to the Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom. Through this emblematic site, the exhibition invites the public to discover the Buddhist art that flourished during this era.

Located in the south-east of the Korean peninsula, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD) for nearly a thousand years. It is home to numerous archaeological sites and remains testifying to the cultural richness and traditions of this period.

Seokguram, located on Mount Toham in Gyeongju, is an artificial grotto built from finely carved granite blocks assembled with remarkable precision.

A true masterpiece of Buddhist art from the Unified Silla kingdom (668-935), it bears witness to the artistic refinement, architectural mastery, and openness to the world that characterised this period.

In 1995, Seokguram was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, in recognition of its exceptional heritage value. This exhibition was designed to offer visitors a more immersive discovery of Seokguram, a true jewel of Silla culture and a reflection of the Buddhist universe.

It presents the original architecture and remarkable construction techniques of the monument.

Thanks to photographs taken by Han Seokhong, who dedicated his life to immortalising Korean cultural heritage, visitors will also be able to appreciate the beauty of the sculptures that make up the grotto.

Among them, the statues of monks, bodhisattvas, and buddhas bear witness to the sacred dimension of religious art. The exhibition also offers an immersive and sensory experience through various digital and educational devices.

An LED screen allows visitors to discover the main historical sites of Gyeongju, including Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, while braille supports and tactile devices invite visitors to apprehend the works through touch.

These different approaches thus offer a concrete and accessible discovery of Korean cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights the Buddhist culture of the Silla kingdom through th