Seoul Outdoor Library opens Wednesday with new programs
Seoul Metropolitan Library will reopen its iconic outdoor reading program, the Seoul Outdoor Library, on Wednesday, marking the start of a new season and celebrating World Book and Copyright Day.
The Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggye Stream locations will welcome visitors Wednesday, while the Seoul Plaza library will open May 4.
This year, the three outdoor libraries will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule will be split into two phases: the first from April to June and the second from September through early November, with special emphasis on evening programs during the summer months.
Each outdoor venue will offer programs reflecting the character of its location. At Gwanghwamun Plaza, film screenings and live concerts will take place against the scenic backdrop of Bukaksan and the main palace gate of Gyeongbokgung.
At Seoul Plaza, weekly busking performances will be held on the grassy lawn. For more details, visitors are encouraged to check each venue's Instagram page.
The city has also enhanced the user experience, introducing Keep Service, which allows visitors to reserve books for future visits if they are unable to finish reading them in one sitting.
In a bid to expand access, 14 districts across Seoul will each launch their open-air programs this year in public parks and library-adjacent outdoor spaces to bring the reading experience closer to local communities.
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Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Seoul Outdoor Library opens Wednesday with new programs
Seoul Metropolitan Library will reopen its iconic outdoor reading program, the Seoul Outdoor Library, on Wednesday, marking the start of a new season and celebrating World Book and Copyright Day. The Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggye Stream locations will welcome visitors Wednesday, while the Seoul Plaza library will open May 4. This year, the three outdoor libraries will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule will be split into two phases: the first from April to June and the second from September through early November, with special emphasis on evening programs during the summer months. Each outdoor venue will offer programs reflecting the character of its location. At Gwanghwamun Plaza, film screenings and live concerts will take place against the scenic backdrop of Bukaksan and the main palace gate of Gyeongbokgung. At Seoul Plaza, weekly busking performances will be held on the grassy lawn. For more details, visitors are encouraged to check each venue's Instagram page. The city has also enhanced the user experience, introducing Keep Service, which allows visitors to reserve books for future visits if they are unable to finish reading them in one sitting. In a bid to expand access, 14 districts across Seoul will each launch their open-air programs this year in public parks and library-adjacent outdoor spaces to bring the reading experience closer to local communities.
Korea Herald
14-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Ambassador Al-Hamar on 50 years of Qatar-Korea relations and Qatar's cultural diplomacy
The recent performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Seoul was more than an evening of music — it was a vivid expression of the deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and Korea. Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the concert struck a symbolic high note in a year filled with cross-cultural engagement. Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Korea, described the event as a bridge between two cultures — one that brought the Qatari spirit to Korean audiences not through words or treaties, but through music. 'This performance, presented by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, was a channel of communication between peoples,' he said, adding that the concert "offers a glimpse into the development witnessed by the State of Qatar in all fields, especially the cultural field,' he said. The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Wilson Ng, took the stage over the weekend with top Korean artists, singer Sumi Jo and pianist Park Jae-hong. Founded in 2008, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising 96 musicians from more than 30 countries, has emerged as a central institution in the country's efforts to cultivate and export culture. With a mission to blend Arab musical heritage with international repertoires, the orchestra has become both a national emblem and a diplomatic envoy, the ambassador explained. Its recent performance in Seoul was not only a celebration of Qatar's artistic evolution, but also a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries, he added. That friendship, once anchored in trade and energy, has steadily expanded into education, tourism and increasingly, the arts, the ambassador said. In recent years, cultural ties have accelerated, with Qatari and Korean institutions hosting exhibitions, musical events and collaborative programs. The orchestra's visit followed a series of cultural initiatives marking the 50th anniversary, including Qatar Day at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, a translated book on Qatari heritage released in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and a children's art contest co-hosted with the Multicultural Museum. Al-Hamar points to these efforts as part of a broader strategy — one that sees culture as an essential component of diplomacy. Qatar's approach to cultural diplomacy is deeply institutional, built on major investments in museums, heritage preservation and global arts initiatives. Landmark institutions such as the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art not only reflect the nation's cultural identity but also function as tools of soft power on the world stage, according to the ambassador. One of Qatar's most prominent cultural platforms is the Years of Culture program, which partners annually with another country for a curated season of cultural exchange. Past partnerships have featured Japan, China and Indonesia. Ambassador Al-Hamar expressed strong interest in launching a Qatar-Korea Year of Culture, which would further solidify the foundation laid by events like the recent concert. Looking ahead, Al-Hamar was optimistic about the future of Qatar-Korea cultural relations. 'Qatari-Korean relations can now be described as advanced, solid, and based on mutual interests and benefits, yet open to further development. Although these relations were initially based solely on economics and trade, in recent years they have evolved into comprehensive, complementary relations across various fields, including culture," he said.
![[From the Scene] Seoul Library hosts vibrant festival to celebrate Han Kang's win](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fres.heraldm.com%2Fcontent%2Fimage%2F2024%2F12%2F11%2F20241211050045_0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
11-12-2024
- Korea Herald
[From the Scene] Seoul Library hosts vibrant festival to celebrate Han Kang's win
On Tuesday afternoon, the typically tranquil atmosphere of the Seoul Metropolitan Library was transformed into an exuberant celebration. The library's quiet reading rooms came alive with jazz music and animated discussions as bibliophiles gathered for the Novel Literature Festival Seoul 2024 in honor of author Han Kang. The festival, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korean Publishers Association, was a joyous celebration of Han Kang, who made history as the first South Korean author -- and the first Asian woman -- to win the Nobel Prize in literature. The event featured activities including novel and poetry readings, live jazz performances and academic seminars on literature. As the world's literary eyes turned toward Stockholm for the Nobel Prize award ceremony, where Han was presented her medal and diploma by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf that evening, Seoul hosted its festival. The library welcomed key figures, including Oh Ji-eun, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Library; Yoon Chul-ho, president of the Korean Publishers Association; and Yu Jung-hee, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, along with 150 attendees at the opening session. In total, over 500 participants registered for the festival to experience its various programs, according to the library. The festival began with a virtual congratulatory speech by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who acknowledged the global significance of Han's achievement. 'Today, with Han's groundbreaking achievement, we are shattering boundaries and witnessing the immense power of Korean literature resonating on the global stage,' Oh said. "Let us celebrate the transformative power of literature together.' Attendees of all ages came to the library to immerse themselves in the celebration. Lee Tae-soo, 59, shared his admiration for Han's powerful storytelling. 'I'm currently reading the novel 'Human Acts' and am struck by how vividly she portrays the oppressive historical realities of the time. It's literature at its finest,' he said. "I signed up for this event the moment I heard about it. I plan to stay until the late-night seminar that ends at 8 p.m.' One of the highlights of the event was the reading session. Actress Yoo Sun captivated the audience with her readings of Han's works, including passages from "The Vegetarian" and selected poems. Her reading of a passage where the protagonist of "The Vegetarian" emotionally proclaims, 'Nothing can be killed with soft, rounded breasts,' left some of the audience in tears. The readings were preceded and followed with jazz performances by the La Petite France Quartet, complementing the atmosphere of Han's works. 'I was deeply moved by Yoo's reading,' said Bae Eun-bi, 25, living in Seoul. 'Han's works have always been a source of strength in my life, but hearing those words spoken aloud made them even more impactful. This festival has reignited my love for literature.' The festival also reflected on literature's role in truth-telling and historical reckoning. It resonated especially profoundly as South Korea recently faced turmoil amid President Yoon Suk Yeol's unilateral martial law declaration on Dec. 3. Yoon Chul-ho, president of the Korean Publishers Association, connected Han's literature to Korea's tumultuous history of state violence in his commemorative address. 'Han's works, such as those depicting the Gwangju Democratic Uprising, remind us of the indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of freedom that shape our identity today. But still, just a few days ago, we faced the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, again. This festival is a celebration of literature as a guardian of peace and memory.' The event also included an engaging seminar featuring renowned authors Choi Eun-young and Park Sang-young, who discussed the future of Korean literature. Author Choi reflected on her connection to literature: 'As a child who often felt frustrated by social injustices but lacked the ability to express it, writing became my liberation. Literature has that power.' The outdoor space was also designed to complement the festive atmosphere. The Seoul Metropolitan Library set up an outdoor library area, complete with beanbags and camping chairs, inviting visitors to unwind with a book while immersing themselves in the festival's ambiance. In a significant gesture to further promote reading, the Seoul Metropolitan Government offered a 'late return amnesty' for library users with overdue books -- a policy applied across 232 libraries in the city. To commemorate this initiative, visitors to the festival were given tofu snacks, a Korean symbol of new beginnings. Library director Oh stressed her desire to reshape how people perceive libraries. 'This festival was meant to break away from the traditional, quiet image of libraries and turn them into hubs for discussion, art, and storytelling,' she said. 'We hope the 'textual revolution' sparked by Han's Nobel win inspires deeper engagement with reading.' 'This festival would become an annual event,' Oh added.
