Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon delivers a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of this year’s Seoul International Book Fair at the Seoul COEX in the capital’s Gangnam-gu District on June 1.
By Yoon Sojung
Photos = Jeon Han
Video = Lee Jun Young
Seoul | June 1, 2022
The Seoul International Book Fair, the largest event of its kind in Korea, was opened on June 1 at the Seoul COEX in the capital’s Gangnam-gu District.
The five-day event’s theme is “One Small Step,” meaning small efforts toward taking a step forward bit by bit amid challenging times. This year’s edition will be held on a full scale offline for the first time in three years after being watered down and held online due to COVID-19 over the last two years.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon hailed the full-scale return of the fair in his congratulatory speech, saying, “Congratulations on the return of the Seoul International Book Fair for the first time in three years in a bright and lively appearance.”
“I felt my heart throbbing and quenching of a burning thirst.”
“The most advanced countries are completed by the power of culture, and economic, military, cultural and strong points are the conditions and qualifications for an advanced country,” he added.
“Beyond its achievements of democratization and industrialization, the Republic of Korea is entering an era of cultural prosperity,” he said. “K-culture’s outstanding competitiveness is written in books.”
On the theme of this year’s fair, “One Small Step,” the minister said, “The words mean moderation and humility,” adding that the theme contains “challenges and commitments to go to unfamiliar places for change and disruption going beyond established order and concept.”
“The Seoul International Book Fair is a wonderful book festival and book village party,” he said. “This exhibition offers a taste of and experience in intellectual pleasure in a compressed way.”
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon (second from left) cuts the ribbon with Colombian Vice Minister of Creativity and Orange Economy Adriana Padilla (third from left) to officially open the hall for the guest country of honor Colombia at this year’s Seoul International Book Fair at the Seoul COEX in the capital’s Gangnam-gu District.
To mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, Colombia was named guest country of honor at this year’s fair. Visitors can learn about the works of leading Colombian authors including Nobel laureate Gabriel García Marquez at the guest country’s hall, whose theme is “Colombia: Creative, Diverse and Fraternal.”
About 30 writers, poets and publishing personnel will deliver lectures on Colombian literature and culture and other programs feature music performances and coffee tasting.
Colombian Vice Minister of Creativity and Orange Economy Adriana Padilla said she felt “limitless pride” over Colombia being the first Spanish-speaking country to be guest country of honor at the Seoul fair.
“Korea and Colombia have taken small steps forward in many areas including economy, trade and culture to boost relations,” she said. “Thanks to the small step we took today, we can share the values that define Colombian culture: creativity, diversity and fraternity.”
“At the Bogota International Book Festival in April, more than 300,000 people visited the booth of the guest country of honor Korea, or half of the 600,000 attending the event overall,” she added. “I wish to see many people visit the Colombia booth at this book fair as well.”
Visitors to this year’s Seoul International Book Fair on June 1 look at books on display at the booth for the guest country of honor Colombia at the Seoul COEX in the capital’s Gangnam-gu District.
arete@korea.kr
