'World Book Day' Celebrated with Large-Scale Events and Campaigns
Yoon In-chon and Hwang Jung-min Read 'Macbeth' Together
Recommend Your Life Book and Receive Cultural Gift Certificates and More
The government is holding reading culture events and campaigns both online and offline, including at the Haechi Yard in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to celebrate 'World Book Day (the 23rd)'. World Book Day originated from 'Saint George's Day' in Catalonia, Spain, where people who bought books were given flowers, and from the day William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes passed away. It was established by the UNESCO General Conference in 1995.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) will gift books and roses to the public at Haechi Yard, which has been transformed into an outdoor library. The books include essays and academic texts recommended by the publishing industry. An official stated, "They were purchased from local bookstores," adding, "Many large print books and braille books for reading-vulnerable groups are also included."
The commemorative event will be held at the Sejong Lounge in Gwanghwamun. Representatives from the government, public institutions, publishing, libraries, and literary circles will participate in book gifting events, reading sessions, and book talks to reflect on the importance of books and reading.
MCST Minister Yoo In-chon will present books to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet members at the Cabinet meeting and attend the commemorative ceremony. He will read Shakespeare's Macbeth together with actor Hwang Jung-min. Minister Yoo has experience playing the lead role in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Actor Hwang has also shown his affection for Shakespeare by appearing in plays such as Richard III.
The book talk will feature authors Jang Kang-myung, known for What’s So Special About Books and Comment Army, and Kim Min-young, who runs the Sungnyemun Literature School. The theme is "More Books, A Wider World." They will share fresh insights and witty reflections on reading.
Online, authors and book content YouTube creators will participate in the "My Life Book Recommendation" challenge. They introduce a book and nominate three acquaintances to continue the recommendations. Cultural gift certificates and other prizes will be awarded through a lottery. Additionally, Kyobo Book Centre and Yes24 are running online book gifting campaigns titled "Books Are Another World, Gift a Book," the Korean Library Association is holding a reading certification photo challenge "Let's Read Books, Let's Go to the Library," and the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency is conducting a contest for the "Reading Month Slogan."
Publishers, bookstores, and e-book platforms are also organizing various events. Changbi will open a "pop-up store" in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul until the 28th, hosting experiential events and book talks. Online Kyobo Book Centre will gift the selected books to 100 people through a lottery when customers add three books to their cart and verify it. Yes24 will hold a live YouTube birthday party reading event, and Aladin will give out "Chaekgado" envelopes and cards to customers who purchase books recommended by thirty authors.
Minister Yoo said, "'World Book Day' marks the starting point for policies to promote a changing reading culture," adding, "We will comprehensively expand the culture of reading through linkage among reading, humanities, literature, and library policies, strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation, and securing budgets."
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