Open-Air Libraries in Seoul open to the public

Now, residents and tourists alike in Seoul will have a unique opportunity to explore Korean literature in an innovative environment. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 19 the implementation of the “Seoul Open-Air Library” project, an initiative that transforms some of the city’s most iconic spaces into temporary open-air libraries, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Korean literary culture in a new way.

Reading spaces in the heart of Seoul

Tourists and residents will be able to access a total of 693 Korean literary works translated into various languages, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Greek translations. These books will be available for free at three key locations in central Seoul: Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Each of these locations has been turned into an open-air reading center, where readers can enjoy Korean literature while relaxing in lively urban environments. The idea behind this project is to make literature accessible to everyone, and for the reading experience to blend with Seoul’s dynamic and cultural atmosphere.

Award-winning and acclaimed literary works

One of the highlights of the project is the selection of available works, many of which have been recognized with international literary awards. Among them, The vegetariana novel by renowned writer Han Kang, which won the International Booker Prize in 2016. This work is an example of the growing prestige and recognition of Korean literature on the international stage, and its inclusion in the programme is an incentive for foreign readers to discover the richness of Korean narrative.

In addition to The vegetarianthe project offers a wide variety of titles that seek to reflect the diversity of modern Korean literature. Among the most notable books are Moms de Ma Young-shin, I Do Not Bid Farewell de Han Kang, Our happy times Gong Ji-young, y Seven Years of Darkness by Jeong You-jeong. Each of these works reflects different aspects of Korean culture and society, through stories that address themes such as love, loss, redemption and justice.

Seoul Open Air Library: A Literary Event to Enrich the Experience

In addition to free book lending, the Seoul Open-Air Library project will also include a series of literary events organized at each of the designated sites. These activities are designed to create a more immersive and engaging environment for visitors, who will be able to interact more closely with Korean literature and its cultural context.

From September 19 to 22, Seoul Plaza will host the presentation of several outstanding works. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore books such as Moms, I Do Not Bid Farewell, Our happy timesy Seven Years of DarknessThese events will not only give tourists the opportunity to read, but also to share their impressions with other visitors and find out more about the authors and their works.

Gwanghwamun Plaza, meanwhile, will be transformed into a reading space from September 20 to 22, where acclaimed novels such as The vegetarian y The Diary of a Murderessby Kim Young-ha. Finally, Cheonggyecheon stream will host screening events for Korean bestsellers such as Welcome to Heunam-dong Bookstoreby Hwang Bo-reum, and Almondby Sohn Won-pyung, from September 20 to 22. These books represent a new generation of Korean authors whose fresh, contemporary narrative styles are capturing the attention of readers around the world.

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A unique opportunity to discover Korean literature

Oh Ji-eun, the director of the Seoul Open-Air Library program, stressed the importance of this initiative in bringing Korean literature to an international audience. “It is an opportunity for foreign tourists visiting Seoul to get up close and personal with trending Korean literature,” Oh said. This statement underscores the government’s intention to position Seoul not only as a tourist destination, but also as a cultural hub where visitors can enjoy enriching experiences beyond traditional tourist attractions.

The diversity of works available, ranging from introspective novels to psychological thrillers and science fiction books, offers readers a unique window into contemporary Korean culture. As Korean literature continues to gain recognition around the world, projects like this not only promote reading, but also foster cultural understanding between South Korea and the rest of the world.

For those interested in participating in this event, the official website of the Seoul Open-Air Library project offers more details about the activities and schedule. Users can also check out the event’s official Instagram accounts for the latest updates.