Saudi Arabia Showcases Cultural Richness As Guest Of Honor At Seoul Book Fair 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its pavilion as the Guest of Honor at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024. Held from June 26 to 30 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea, this marks the fair's 66th edition. The event celebrates Saudi culture through an integrated experience led by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission under the Ministry of Culture.

Participating entities include the Heritage Commission, Fashion Commission, Film Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahad National Library, Publishing Association, and Ministry of Investment. The pavilion features traditional performing arts such as the "Ardah" and exhibits books and artifacts discovered in the Kingdom.

The pavilion hosts a diverse cultural program with dialogue sessions and seminars on various topics. These include Saudi history and heritage, female writers from Saudi Arabia, and the role of language in transmitting cultural values. Discussions also cover traditions and social customs, similarities between Korean and Arabic languages and cultures, as well as historical and contemporary interactions between the two cultures.

On the first day, the Saudi pavilion inaugurated the Mu'allaqat (The Hanging Odes) in Korean. This project is a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission. Additionally, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched an Arabic language project in Korea.

Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen partnerships with Korea through its participation in this event. The Kingdom seeks to foster dialogue between cultures and civilizations. The pavilion also hosts a Saudi dinner night showcasing national dishes from across the Kingdom.

The Seoul International Book Fair 2024 is organized by the Korean Publishers Association. It is one of Asia's most renowned book fairs. Originating locally in 1954, it expanded into an international exhibition in 1995. This year’s fair hosts approximately 90 publishing institutions from 19 countries alongside 350 Korean publishing houses.

Seminars at the pavilion explore poetry, Saudi novels, and efforts in teaching Arabic to non-speakers in Korea. One seminar discusses collaboration between Korean and Arabic musical arts. The Kingdom's role as Guest of Honor at international book fairs underscores its commitment to promoting Saudi culture globally.

Global Cultural Promotion

Previously, Saudi Arabia was Guest of Honor at other international book fairs including New Delhi International Book Fair (NDIBF) 2024 in February and Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) 2024 held from June 19 to 23. These participations highlight Saudi Arabia's dedication to cultural exchange on a global scale.

The event includes discussions on similarities between Korean and Arabic languages and cultures. Historical interactions between these two cultures are also explored during seminars at the pavilion.

The Kingdom's pavilion showcases its rich cultural heritage through an integrated experience led by various commissions under its Ministry of Culture. This initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote its culture internationally while fostering mutual understanding with other nations.

With inputs from SPA