South Korea will introduce Korean literature, calligraphy and promote the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at the 28th edition of the Doha International Book Fair scheduled to open on Wednesday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, the South Korean embassy in Doha has announced.
“We will exhibit different kinds of books concerning literature, cuisine, tourism, and the Korean language. These books are well-known throughout the country and overseas,” South Korean ambassador Heung Kyeong Park said.
The envoy also invited school and university officials, teachers and students, as well as parents, across Qatar to visit the Korean booth at the event.
The Korean booth, Park noted, will showcase Korean drama novella “Vegetarian," which was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2016 and “Please look after Mom,” a best seller not only in Korea but also in foreign countries.
In addition, he said “The Ballshot by Midget” and “Song of Sword,” which are included in the literature curriculums of the education system in Korea, will also be featured.
Apart from presenting Korean Drama, the Korean booth will also give Korean learning books for free to people who have interest in the Korean language.
Event-goers, especially those who are interested in art and calligraphy, will have the chance to experience Korean calligraphy and take home “a wonderful piece of art with them,” Park added. “Anyone can experience Korean calligraphy and take it what he wrote.”
“The Doha International Book Fair is a good opportunity to understand foreign culture and revitalise cultural exchange between other countries,” he stressed.
The Korean booth will also promote the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Korea from February 9 to 25 in PyeongChang County, South Korea – 30 years after the Seoul Summer Olympic Games.
“PyeongChang 2018 will be the first of the consecutive Olympic Games to be held in Asia, following 2020 Tokyo Sumer Olympics and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is coming closer,” Park said. “Let us unite and launch our global campaign for harmony and peace.”
The envoy also cited Qatar and South Korea’s close co-operation in the field of culture saying that the Korean embassy and Katara – the Cultural Village hold Korean cultural events annually.
According to Park, young Koreans visit Qatar every year through intergovernmental youth exchange programmes between the two countries.
“Qatar is a culture-loving country. Irrespective of the blockade many cultural events are held everywhere and many people accompany their families and there are more diversified programmes than last year,” Park said.
South Korean ambassador Heung-Kyeong Park
