PARIS, France—In a significant stride for Korean culture and cuisine in Europe, the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France, has officially designated November 22nd as 'Kimchi Day,' marking the first instance of a public institution within the European Union (EU) formally recognizing the commemorative date. This move elevates the traditional Korean fermented food, Kimchi, beyond a simple dish, acknowledging its cultural, nutritional, and industrial value.
The initiative to establish Kimchi Day was spearheaded by a collaborative effort between Korean food giant Daesang Corporation, the French non-profit organization AMA Association (Association Mes Amis), and the marketing agency SF Globalize Inc. The three entities jointly proposed the designation to the Paris 15th District's international cooperation agency. Following the proposal, the Paris 15th District Council unanimously approved the resolution, cementing November 22nd as an annual commemorative day.
Spreading the Kimchi Wave Across Europe
Kimchi Day, which was first established as a legal anniversary in South Korea in 2020 to promote the excellence and value of the food, has been gaining international traction. The commemorative day has already been established in several regions worldwide, including 13 U.S. states (beginning with California in 2021), the city of São Paulo in Brazil, Argentina (which made it a national day), and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in London, UK. The official recognition in the Paris 15th arrondissement is seen as a crucial turning point for expanding the popularity of Kimchi and K-Food across the European continent.
A Daesang official stated, "The establishment of Kimchi Day for the first time in Europe is a symbolic event that shows Kimchi is gradually becoming a part of the global dining table." The company, in partnership with the AMA Association and local French institutions, played a central role in promoting Kimchi's cultural and industrial significance, hosting various cultural exchange programs like Kimchi cooking competitions and Kimjang (traditional Kimchi-making) events.
Grand Proclamation Ceremony and Future Expansion
The official proclamation of Kimchi Day was held during the '2025 KOREAN EXPO - Kimchi Day Establishment Proclamation Ceremony' at the main square of the Paris 15th District Office on October 4th (local time). The event was attended by key figures, including Philippe Goujon, Mayor of the Paris 15th District, and Agnès Evren, a French Senator. A large-scale participatory Kimjang event was also held on-site, allowing Parisian residents and tourists to experience the communal and cultural tradition of preparing Kimchi for winter.
The success in the 15th arrondissement is expected to initiate a broader movement. Commemorative day establishment efforts are slated to be pursued in several other French districts and cities starting next year, including the 7th and 16th arrondissements of Paris, Issy-les-Moulineaux, and Montpellier.
In anticipation of the growing demand for Kimchi in the European market, Daesang is also actively investing in its production capacity. After establishing a large-scale Kimchi factory in Los Angeles, USA, in 2022—the first by a South Korean food company—Daesang is currently planning to construct a new manufacturing facility in Krakow, Poland, to better serve its European consumers.
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