The Seoul International Book Fair 2024 commenced on Wednesday, June 26, with the Sultanate of Oman as a special guest, marking fifty years of Omani-Korean diplomatic relations.
Oman marks its presence at the fair with a variety of cultural elements from several government institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, the Ministry of Information, and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, as well as intellectual contributions from civil society and private institutions, highlighting the rich heritage of Omani civilization.
This 66th edition of the fair, organized by the Korean Publishing Culture Association, runs from June 26 to June 30 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in southern Seoul, with Saudi Arabia as this year’s guest of honor.
The opening ceremony featured Yoon Chol-ho, President of the Korean Publishers Association, alongside the Omani delegation, including Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for Culture, and Sheikh Zakaria bin Hamad al Saadi, Oman's Ambassador to South Korea.
Prominent Korean figures in attendance included Jo Eero, Director of the Seoul International Book Fair, Jeon Jae-soo, Chairman of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee at the National Assembly, and Cheon Byung-keuk, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Al Saadi praised the successful organization of the Seoul International Book Fair 2024 by the Korean Publishers Association and commended its efforts in promoting reading, books, and publishing. He emphasized the fair’s crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and deeper understanding between nations, noting that this year's participation is particularly significant as it marks the 50th anniversary of Omani-Korean diplomatic relations. To commemorate this milestone, a book titled "Oman: A Long History of Friendship and Cooperation with Korea" by Professor Lee Hee-soo has been published in Korean and translated into Arabic.
The book explores fifty years of diplomatic relations since 1974, along with ancient trade relations between the two countries dating back to the 7th century. Additionally, Oman proudly presents the Omani novel "Celestial Bodies" by Jokha Al Harthi, winner of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize, translated into Korean to make Omani literature more accessible to Korean readers.
The accompanying Omani cultural program includes several panel discussions, starting with the launch ceremony for these translated publications at the Oman pavilion.
Through this participation, Oman contributes to a global dialogue that enriches everyone.
The Omani pavilion aims to introduce the nation's intellectual production and cultural heritage through a diverse exhibition of rare Omani manuscripts, Arabic calligraphy, and other intellectual works, while also highlighting Omani hospitality traditions.
The pavilion’s design blends Omani architectural heritage with modernity and features sections including government and civil society publications, tourism promotion, live Arabic calligraphy demonstrations, rare manuscripts, and a traditional Omani hospitality area offering coffee, dates, and Omani sweets. It also showcases cultural elements listed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as the art of Al-Bar'ah, the Omani Khanjar, and Omani coffee practices, using VR technology and visual presentations of Oman's cultural and tourist sites. The first Omani cultural program begins on Thursday, June 27, with a panel discussion titled "The Novel: The Wonder of Omani Narration," featuring writers Bushra Khalfan Al-Wahibi, Mohammed bin Khalfan Al Yahyai, and Zahran bin Hamdan Al Qasmi, moderated by Huda bin Hamad Al Jahwaria.
The cultural program also includes a paper on the state of translation in Oman and potential cooperation between Arabic and Korean, presented by Dr. Hilal bin Said Al Hajri on June 28. Another panel on June 29 will discuss "Omani-Korean Relations: Fifty Years of Proximity and Joint Work," with Dr. Hee-soo Lee and Dr. Mohammed bin Khalfan Al Yahyai. The final panel on "Women's Literature Depicting Daily Life in Korea and Oman" will feature Omani novelist Jokha Al Harthi and Korean writer Eun Hee-kyung, moderated by literary critic Hyo Hee.
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