MUSCAT – The Sultanate of Oman will participate as a “distinguished guest” at Seoul International Book Fair, which will be held from June 26 to 30 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Omani-Korean cultural relations.
The 2024 Seoul International Book Fair chose the Sultanate of Oman to be a special guest at the book fair, which marks the golden jubilee of Oman-Korea relations. The event offers an opportunity to felicitate every writer, publisher and institution that played a role in developing bilateral relations—locally, regionally and globally.
The book fair also seeks to consolidate the concept of knowledge as a basic pillar for development, progress and openness. It underscores a common keenness to enhance communication and interaction among all cultures.
During the book fair, the Sultanate of Oman will present a set of cultural programmes, activities and samples of Omani writings. The activities include a discussion panel in which Omani literati will take part, and an exhibition of precious manuscripts.
The Omani pavilion will showcase a variety of publications, including two books translated into the Korean language—one being a novel titled “Celestial Bodies”, authored by Omani writer Jokha Al Harthi. The second translated book deals with the Omani-Korean relations.
Oman’s pavilion comprises five main sections:
· A section for publications of government institutions and civil society institutions (including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Cultural Club the Society for Writers and Literati);
· A section for Arabic Calligraphy, which makes live presentations;
· A section for Omani Manuscripts and rare artefacts;
· A section titled “Omani Majlis” that provides examples about Omani hospitality, customs and traditions;
· And a section that presents Omani cultural elements registered in the UNESCO World List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (the folklore art of Al Bar’aa, the Omani dagger, hospitality customs associated with Omani coffee. The exhibits can be viewed through the use of VR technology. Presentations in this section also highlight cultural and tourist sites in the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman’s participation in the event also includes a dialogue session titled “The Novel and the Omani Narrative”, a paper on “translation in Oman and scopes for cooperation within the context of Arabic and Korean languages”, a discussion panel on the outcome of rapprochement between Oman and Korea over the past 50 years and discussion panel on “feminist literature” that highlights the daily lifestyles of women in Korea and Oman.
(ONA)
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