By Kang Gahui and Yoon Hee Young

The 28th Seoul International Book Fair, the nation's biggest event of its kind, is slated for June 1-5 at the Seoul COEX in the capital's Gangnam-gu District.

Held online or scaled down due to COVID-19 over the last two years, the fair will be held offline at the Seoul COEX for the first time in three years.

The fair this year has the theme "One Small Step," which conveys the meaning of small efforts for taking a step forward bit by bit amid challenging times. A combined 195 domestic and overseas publishers and 214 authors and speakers will participate in the five-day event to engage readers.

Marking the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties with Korea, Colombia is the Seoul fair's guest country of honor this year, a distinction Korea held at the Bogota International Book Fair last month. The Latin American country will present book talks and exhibitions and cultural performances under the theme "Colombia: Creative, Diverse and Fraternal." The Guest of Honor Hall will display Colombian books such as the bestsellers "One Hundred Years of Solitude" and "Love in the Time of Cholera."

Other programs include a lecture by Herve le Tellier, who won France's top literary award Prix Goncourt, and talks with leaders of the world's prestigious book fairs including Juergen Boos, president of the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. An exhibition of the 30 works chosen as Korea's best book designs over the last three years is also scheduled.

Tickets to the fair can be reserved online with a 30% discount through May 31. On-site ticketing is available during the event period.

kgh89@korea.kr