A Special Picture Book Capturing the Lives of Suncheon Citizens

A Picture Book Depicting the Lives of Neighbors: the Grandma from Ujang Rice Cake Shop and the Chicken Shop Owner

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Suncheon Picture Book Library announced on the 28th that it has created special picture books through the ‘Citizen Picture Book Making’ project with various citizens.

The picture books created this time contain the life stories of market merchants such as the rice cake shop grandmother, the mill owner, and the soup restaurant lady, who have lived their entire lives in Uutjang, Suncheon’s traditional market.

The ‘Picture Book Making’ project, which involved participants ranging from elementary school students to seniors in the Korean writing class, was published through the ‘Adult Dream Agit Creative Course’ conducted in collaboration with Korea National Open University Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Campus.

In the ‘Uutjang Merchants Picture Book,’ writer Kim Jungseok worked with the merchants to create picture books that highlight the characteristics of the traditional market by focusing on familiar shops and menus that the merchants could best illustrate.

The ‘Seongdong Elementary Picture Book’ was conducted by writer Han Seongmin, who guided children to create stories through their imagination. This time, 52 picture books were produced by 4th graders, and 40 more books created by 3rd graders are expected to be released in the first half of this year.

The ‘Adult Dream Agit Creative Course’ conducted with the Korea National Open University Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Campus was divided into two classes: the Open University class and the Suncheon citizen class, and was held over 16 weeks with writer Oh Chigeun. People of various ages gathered to create a diverse collection of 28 picture books, including embroidery picture books.

The ‘Making My Life Picture Diary’ project, which has been ongoing since 2017, was conducted with the nationally renowned ‘Suncheon Girls’ seniors, led by picture book writer Kim Jungseok.

Participants in the citizen picture book making program said, “At first, I was afraid to draw, but as I proceeded step by step with the teacher, I felt proud to complete my own picture book,” expressing excitement at the thought of meeting their own book.

The picture books produced this time will be exhibited at the Suncheon Picture Book Library and presented to the general public.

The Suncheon Picture Book Library plans to continue making and exhibiting picture books with various citizens this year as well. For more details, please contact the Picture Book Library.