Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Its Pavilion at Seoul International Book Fair 2024 as a Guest of Honor

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion as the Guest of Honor at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024. The fair, held from June 26 to 30 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center south of Seoul, Republic of Korea, marks its 66th edition with a dedicated celebration of Saudi culture.
The Kingdom's pavilion showcases its rich cultural heritage 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.
Throughout the event, the pavilion features a diverse cultural program including dialogue sessions and seminars covering topics such as Saudi history and heritage, Saudi female writers, the role of language in transmitting cultural values, traditions, and social customs, similarities between Korean and Arabic languages and cultures, and historical and contemporary interactions between the two cultures. Seminars also explore poetry, the Saudi novel, and the Kingdom's efforts in teaching Arabic to non-speakers in Korea. Collaboration between Korean and Arabic musical arts is discussed in one seminar.
On the first day, the Saudi pavilion inaugurates the Mu'allaqat (The Hanging Odes) in Korean, a project by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission. Additionally, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launches an Arabic language project in Korea.
The Saudi pavilion features traditional performing arts such as the "Ardah" and exhibits books and artifacts discovered in the Kingdom. The pavilion hosts a Saudi dinner night showcasing national dishes from across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with Korea and foster dialogue between cultures and civilizations through its participation. The Kingdom's role as Guest of Honor at international book fairs, including the Seoul International Book Fair 2024, underscores its commitment to promoting Saudi culture globally. Previously, Saudi Arabia was Guest of Honor at the New Delhi International Book Fair (NDIBF) 2024 in February and the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) 2024 held from June 19 to 23.
The Seoul International Book Fair 2024, organized by the Korean Publishers Association, is one of Asia's and the world's most renowned book fairs. Originating locally in 1954, it expanded into an international exhibition in 1995. This year, the fair hosts approximately 90 publishing institutions and companies from 19 countries alongside 350 Korean publishing houses.