Gwangju Dong-gu to Hold 1st Anniversary Event for Chaekjeongwon Library on the 20th

Gwangju Dong-gu announced on the 18th that it will hold a variety of commemorative events, including an author-invited book talk, to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the public library 'Book Garden'.

The first anniversary event, scheduled for the 20th, will be a festive occasion for residents to celebrate and enjoy together, featuring a book talk, a music concert, and reading events.

Opened in December last year, Book Garden breaks away from the conventional, rigid concept of libraries by adding sensory elements such as music, fragrance, and a garden-like atmosphere, allowing residents to read books and enjoy culture in a peaceful setting. Over the past year, about 160,000 visitors have come to the library.

Main events include a book talk ("Travel the World Whenever You Can" by author Kwon Boseon), the Romantic Laboratory Where Culture Flows (featuring classical and other performances), a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony, and the Book Garden Time Capsule. There will also be various activities for residents, such as a calligraphy exhibition, a pop-up book program, a terrarium event, a three-line poem contest, and nostalgic lucky draws.

The Book Garden Time Capsule involves sealing wish postcards about "Myself in 2033" in a book-shaped time capsule, which will be stored in a designated area of the Book Garden. The capsule will be opened in December 2033, marking the 10th anniversary of the library, and citizens who wrote the wish postcards will be invited to share their stories and reflections.

Lim Taek, head of Dong-gu District Office, said, "We have prepared a variety of celebratory events for the first anniversary of Book Garden, so I hope many people will come and enjoy them together," adding, "We will continue to strive to establish Book Garden as the most accessible cultural facility and a hub for reading culture and communication among residents."