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The Centre Culturel Coréen and the Institut national de recherche sur le patrimoine culturel de Gyeongju are co-organizing a lecture series on the Buddhist culture of the Silla kingdom and recent archaeological findings.
With a thousand-year history, the Silla kingdom shaped much of Korea’s spiritual and artistic heritage through its unique Buddhist art. This series explores various aspects of Silla’s history, from Buddhist philosophy and the daily lives of its people to exchanges between East and West along the Silk Road. Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. – “Seokguram and Silla Buddhism” An artificial cave temple dating from the 8th century, Seokguram embodies the essence of Buddhism in Silla’s royal capital. This lecture examines its structure and ideological context while offering a fresh interpretation of its unique place in the global history of Buddhist art. It will also explore the lives of monks and their spiritual practices around mont Namsan, where many sacred sites are concentrated. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. – “The Lives and Deaths of Silla’s People” Drawing on objects unearthed at Wolseong, Silla’s former royal palace, this lecture sheds light on daily life during the period and exchanges along the Silk Road. It will also present recent findings from excavations of wooden-chamber tombs beneath stone cairns ( dolmuji deotneol mudeom ), a burial type unique to Silla. Through the experimental reconstruction of an ancient tomb and the reenactment of funeral rites, it reveals the beliefs and practices surrounding death at the time. By tracing the history and memory of this thousand-year-old kingdom, attendees will rediscover the historical roots and richness of Korean heritage through the example of Silla. Speakers: Okyang Chae-Duporge: Professor in the Department of Korean Studies, Université Bordeaux Montaigne Dongha Kim, Youngbae Ji, In-tae Jeong: Researchers at the Institut national de recherche sur le patrimoine culturel de Gyeongju Institut national de recherche sur le patrimoine culturel de Gyeongju Founded in 1990 as a research organization under the Bureau de gestion des biens culturels ( Korea Heritage Service ), the Institut national de recherche sur le patrimoine culturel de Gyeongju carries out various missions related to heritage preservation and study. In particular, it conducts scientific research and studies, oversees the conservation and management of state-owned cultural property, and restores and develops sites following excavations. It also runs research programs in partnership with national and international organizations and carries out conservation treatments for artifacts.
Admission: Reservations on the Centre Culturel Coréen website.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Institut national de recherche sur le patrimoine culturel de Gyeongju