Busan, South Korea – Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, hosted its inaugural International Children's Book Fair from November 28th to December 1st at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO). This landmark event marked a significant milestone for the Korean publishing industry and showcased the country's growing influence in the global children's literature scene.
Organized by the Korean Publishers Association and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Busan Metropolitan City, the fair attracted 16 countries and 193 publishing houses, including 136 domestic and 57 international participants. A total of 118 authors and speakers, such as Baek Hee-na, Lee Su-ji, and Hwang Sun-mi, participated in the event. The theme of the fair was "Laputa," symbolizing imagination, dreams, adventure, and freedom, inspired by Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
Global Reach and Local Flavor
The fair aimed to establish Busan as a major hub for children's literature in Asia and beyond. Rex Hou, CEO of Locus Publishing in Taiwan, who was born in Busan, emphasized the growing interest in Korean soft power in Taiwan. "Taiwan is very interested in Korean soft power. There's a lot of curiosity and a desire to learn," he said.
The organizers drew inspiration from the Bologna Children's Book Fair while aiming to create a unique event that catered to a broader audience, including children, adults, authors, and publishers. The fair also received support from the National Assembly, with Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chairman Jeon Jae-su expressing his commitment to fostering the event's growth.
Positive Feedback from Participants
Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the inaugural fair. Park Sun-mi, president of the Busan Children's Literature Association, said, "We've always admired the Bologna Children's Book Fair, so it's wonderful to have our own event." Chayada, a picture book author, shared that the fair held special significance for her as a Busan-based creator.
Hur Ki, CEO of BomBom Publishing, suggested that the fair could become a major cultural event alongside the Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Biennale. However, he also noted the challenges of coordinating with the Shanghai International Children's Book Fair, which took place around the same time, and emphasized the need to increase international participation in future events.
Looking Ahead
The success of the first Busan International Children's Book Fair has set a strong foundation for future events. Organizers are committed to building on this momentum and establishing Busan as a global center for children's literature. By fostering connections between authors, publishers, and readers from around the world, the fair aims to promote creativity, imagination, and a love of reading among children.
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