Seoul: The Seoul International Book Fair, the most prominent literary event in South Korea, commenced on Wednesday, anticipating the presence of approximately 150,000 visitors as the "text-hip" trend-where reading is becoming a fashionable activity among younger generations-continues to surge.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 68th edition of the book fair, held at the COEX exhibition center in southern Seoul, features participation from 538 publishers and industry organizations representing 18 countries. The event, spanning five days and concluding on Sunday, will host 326 authors and speakers from both South Korea and abroad. With advance tickets already sold out, the fair promises to be a bustling hub of literary activity.
This year's theme, "Homo Duduri," aims to delve into the essence of humanity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), as expressed by the organizers. The term "Duduri," an ancient name for a blacksmith, symbolizes a "dokkaebi," or goblin, found in traditional Korean texts. The theme statement, co-authored by Korean novelist Kim Yeon-su and AI models Claude and Gemini, reflects on the interplay between humans and AI: "Today, the fire of AI blazes before us. No matter the question, AI answers without hesitation. It writes novels, composes songs, and directs films in an instant. There is no way to avoid this fire. What kind of wisdom, then, do we need in the face of these fierce flames?"
The fair will feature a distinguished lineup of authors and speakers, including Korean novelists Baik Sou Linne, Chung Bora, Eun Hee-kyung, and Kim Ae-ran, as well as poets Ahn Mi-ok and Oh Eun, who will address these thought-provoking questions. Additionally, singer-songwriter Sunwoo Jung-a, actress Kim Shin-rok, and Ven. Sunjae are scheduled to deliver talks on topics ranging from music to temple cuisine.
Celebrating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France, this year's book fair has invited France as the guest country of honor. French literary figures, such as novelist Bernard Werber, children's literature authors Marie-Aude Murail and Anne Laval, and philosopher Pascal Bruckner, will participate in events exploring French literature and culture, with approximately 12,000 French books slated for display.
Internationally acclaimed authors will also contribute to the fair's rich tapestry of discussions, including sci-fi novelist Silvia Park, Hong Kong writer Chan Wai, and Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen. Furthermore, seminars addressing the challenges faced by the publishing industry in the wake of the AI boom, along with discussions on publishing landscapes in countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan, and Turkey, are set to provide valuable insights, as noted by the organizers.