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Benjamin Joinau, Founder and Director of L'Atelier des Cahiers, Honored as Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

On June 22nd, Benjamin Joinau, the founder and director of L'Atelier des Cahiers, was honored as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) at the French Embassy in Seoul. This distinguished Order, which consists of three ranks (Commander, Officer, and Knight), acknowledges individuals who have made remarkable contributions in the fields of arts and culture.

Benjamin Joinau, holding a PhD in cultural anthropology with a specialization in Korean studies, serves as an associate researcher at the Center for Korean Studies (CRC) at EHESS in Paris and works as a lecturer at Hongik University in Seoul. Residing in South Korea since 1994, he has authored numerous articles and books in French, English, and Korean. His achievements have also been acknowledged with the 2013 France-Korea Cultural Award and honorary citizenship of Seoul.

Furthermore, alongside his oversight of the publication of over 80 titles at L'Atelier des Cahiers, a prestigious publisher renowned for its focus on Korean culture, which received the 2016 Asia Literary Award for its entire catalog, he co-founded the Circle of Francophone Entrepreneurs in Korea (CEFC) in 2006. He has taken the initiative to organize various cultural events and art exhibitions, actively promoting exchanges between the French and Korean communities and nurturing the growth of the Francophone community in Korea. Additionally, he has been elected as a representative for French citizens abroad and currently serves as the president of the consular council.