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French authors at Seoul book fair

Published: 10 May. 2010, 20:43

Readers sometimes anticipate meeting the writers of their favorite books as much as they might fantasize about meeting the characters that come out of them. The Seoul International Book Fair 2010 provides book lovers all over Korea with the chance to do just that.

The fair will be held from May 12 to 16 at COEX Mall in southern Seoul.

A total of 748 booths will be installed to display information and products from bookstores and publishers representing over 21 countries, including Norway, the Netherlands and Argentina, according to the event organizer.

This year’s guest country of honor is France. Under the slogan “Read France,” 23 publishing companies from France will bring over 1,500 books to the fair.

Some of the world’s most famous French writers are invited to the fair, including French science fiction writer Bernard Werber and French novelist Marc Levy. Both writers will give readings and sign autographs at special events during the fair.

Werber has been voted one of the most beloved foreign writers in Korea along with Tolstoy, Shakespeare and Hesse, the fair’s Web site said.

Some of the most popular writers from Korea will also participate in the fair, including Park Gyung-chul, Chun Myung-gwan and more.

The program also includes a series of exhibitions.

One of these is an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). It examines a century of modern Korean history as described in books.

Another exhibition called “Picture Books with Themes: Tigers and Environment,” celebrates the year of the tiger.

Meanwhile, the exhibition “Picture Books of the World and an Illustrators’ Wall” will show 200 of the best picture books of 2008 and 2009, as selected by the CJ Picture Book Festival, 50 of the best picture books from France, 20 award-winning books from Caldecott & Newbery, and the winners of the 2009 and 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards. The illustrators’ wall features the creative works of 128 artists.

By Hannah Kim Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]

The fair will run from May 12 to 16 at COEX Mall in southern Seoul. Tickets cost 3,000 won ($2.70) for adults and 1,000 won for students. For more information visit www.sibf.or.kr/eng.