Image: SIBF Screencapture
If you missed the announcement for the Seoul International Book Fair 2023, you’re not alone. We did, too. Following the more recent scheduling, when the event was held in October - in 2020 and then in September - in 2021, we assumed the event had returned to its original time slot, for later in the year. We thought we had months to spare before jet-setting off to Korea. But alas… we were wrong.
This year, it passed us by – finished. ☹ It was held in 14th ~ 18th of June, in the famous COEX building in southern Seoul. It was well visited by those who were aware of the date changes, but for those of us living busy lives elsewhere, we’ve missed it. We’re not sure why the dates were changed, or if holding the event in June, is now a permanent fixture. Sadly, we will have to keep our radars tuned for future years and we’ll need to be careful about booking our plane flights – because we just might have to get them refunded. So, this is what we missed. 
Image: Expedia
The Seoul International Book Fair has been in existence since 1947, when it was held in October. However, because of the Korean War, the 2nd book fair did not take place until seven years later. Now looking forward 69 years, the event attracts a myriad of people from all over the world – approximately 250,000 visitors a year, from such countries as Japan, China, France, UAE, Turkey, India, Italy, UK, USA, and Australia.
Like many book fairs, it services the host country - promoting their books, goods, and educational services of around 600 Korean publishers, as well as showcasing the Korean publishing industry to both the national and international communities. Organised by the Korean Publishers Association, the yearly event promotes the importance of reading and education among Koreans, and serves to promote the export, trade and exposure of Korean literature, internationally.
The Seoul International Book Fair has grown to become one of the biggest publishing events in the Asian region, following the Beijing International Book Fair, which coincidently this year, ran concurrently to SIBF June 15~18. So, if you were thinking, you might do both in the same year – forget it. That’s not a possibility, anymore.
If you’re a publisher, then professional conferences, seminars regarding the Korean market and book rights would have been your main area of interest. For those of you who might have wanted to check out the authors, then there were signing sessions, cultural events and even kids' presentations. Don’t forget, the illustrators; they were around every corner. This year, the Theme Exhibition was ‘Nonhuman’ – everything centered around the possibility of exploring another world of new lifeforms, something “beyond humanity”. The theme sounds a bit apocalyptic, as it tells of the world being headed for imminent “catastrophe…nowhere else to turn”. I pray we all hold greater hope for humanity. 
Image: Korea.net
Alongside the SIBF and the Best Book Design Exhibition, a featured program - ‘Climate Gourmet’, presented a focus on global, healthy eating. It promoted the maintenance of our planet; the benefits of natural products, soil repair, microorganisms and biodiversity.
Either way, this book fair is one to put on your calendar – that is, if we don’t miss it.
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 Santiago-Gamboa - Credit Wikimedia Commons Well, it’s a wrap! The Seoul International Writers’ Festival has finished up for yet, another year. Held both on and offline - from September 23rd ~ 30th September 2022, the festival saw a total of 35 writers partaking in the South Korean event, which included twelve foreign writers, who joined us from eight separate countries. The eight-day festival, themed ‘Beyond Narrative’, explored the boundaries of language and genre with readers; opened up discussions between writers and critiques and offered readings to the audience members. Pulitzer-winning poet – Forrest Gander delivered the opening, keynote speech. His book of poems titled - ‘Be With’ - published in 2019, gained him world-wide recognition as an international poet. Other leading writers, such as Kim Hye-Soon and Santiago Gamoa also participated in the event. Soon is well-respected in South Korea writer and was the first Asian woman to have ever won the Canadian, ‘Griffin Poetry Prize’. As part of the SIW Festival, she also recited some of her works at the Seoul Community Cultural Centre in Seogyo, on Saturday, September 24th.  Also taking part, was the well-known Columbian author, Gamboa - for his book, ‘Night Prayers’. Both Gamboa and Song also joined the virtual presentation at closing session of the event for literary discussion. Sun was responsible for translating his work into Korean for the general public to enjoy. The festival saw many well-known writers come together. Hugo Award-winning, American author - Naomi Kritzer of ‘Cat Pictures Please’; New York Best-Seller, Indian novelist - Megha Majumdar for the title, ‘A Burning’; Shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker International Prize Argentinian author – Samantha Schweblin for her work entitled, ‘Fever Dream; and Wu Mingyi who was the first Taiwanese writer to have been longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker International Prize for work titled, ‘The Stolen Bicycle’.
It can be noted, Korean author – Kim Bo-Young who wrote, ‘I am Waiting for You’ was the first English translation of a Korean sci-fi novel, published by HarperCollins. Author of ‘The Plotters’ by Kim Un-Su, saw this book shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere in France; it is presently being made into a Korean Film. Cheon Seon-Ran – author of ‘A Thousand Blues’ also took part in the event. Her novel won Grand Prize, at the Korean Science Literature Award in 2019.
All-in-all, we saw and listened to some very interesting and knowledgeable authors present not only their works, but also an insight into their creative minds that penned these wonderful works. If ever you have wondered how the rest of the world gets on with publishing, here is an inside look at the Korean publishing association.  Photo: Lonely Planet Located in central Seoul, strategically situated between the famous Gyeongbok Palace and Ankuk subway station, you'll find the Korean Publishing Association - an old grey building with both Korean and Korean-Chinese characters labeling the top of the building.  Photo: Korean Publishers Association The Palace is extremely old. You can't miss it - it was originally built in 1395. Of course, it has had major restoration over the years, during my stay in Korea and this is an on-going process as with many wonderful, historic sites. Anyhow, you'll be able to travel to either the Gyeongbokgung subway station and exit there or take the subway to Anguk and exit. Either way, both stations are easily accessible on the orange line (line 3). The hardest part is knowing which exit out the station to take. There are about eight exits, so you will have to get you bearings. You'll need to land yourself on the right side of the road. This takes some practice. If you get stuck, you'll be able to ask the locals to assist you and they will happily oblige. It will be a great opportunity for them to use their English and you'll make a friend.
Take a good look at the below mud map to help find your way. Yes, it is in Korean, but even if you don't know where you are going, show the locals and you will be set. Most people at the Association can speak English. There won't be a problem once you arrive.  Photo: http://kpa21.or.kr/ Gyeongbokgung station is the one on the left, next to Line 3 and Anguk station is the one on the right, also on Line 3. I'm sure you recognise that the blue marker is the KPA. When you exit either station, make sure it is on the palace entrance side. Given Seoul is an extremely modern city, you will find all signs in the subway in both English and Korean. It is also really clean and quite pretty! Good luck!
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