The government will hold ceremonies welcoming the return of ancient Korean royal books that French troops looted from Ganghwa Island in 1866.

The events will be held on Saturday on Ganghwa Island and Gyeongbok Palace.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the National Museum of Korea will hold on Saturday morning ceremonial rites on the site of the Oegyujanggak on Ganghwa Island to mark the return of the books. In the afternoon, a national welcoming event will be held for the ancient royal texts.

Also on Saturday, there will a wide variety of celebrations, including the “Ibong March” across Gwanghwamun to Gyeongbok Palace.

The 296 volumes of the Oegyujanggak books have been returned to South Korea in four batches from April 14th to May 27th.

Of them, 70 volumes will be revealed to the public during a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea from July 19th to September 18th. The books are also expected to be displayed across the nation in traveling exhibits.