By Honorary Reporter Weronika Ciarka from Poland
Photos = Weronika Ciarka

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland, last month hosted one of Central Europe's most prestigious literary events: the Warsaw International Book Fair. 

Korea was this year's guest of honor, so the Korean Pavilion hosted an extensive program of talks with authors, autograph sessions, concerts, film screenings and lectures.

The "New Pansori" concert on May 15 showcases the fusion of Korean and Polish cultures with a performance by pansori (traditional lyrical opera) singer Jang Seoyoon (second from right) and Polish musician Rafal Mazur (left).

The fair kicked off with a discussion with Victor D. Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the authors of "Korea: A New History of South and North," which offers insights into Korea's rich historical tapestry. 

In the concert "New Pansori: About Dwarves and Little Orphan Mary," pansori (traditional lyrical opera) artist Jang Seoyoon and Polish musician Rafal Mazur blended pansori with Polish children's literature. 

In addition, the historical theater Kino Muranow hosted a screening of the Korean fantasy blockbuster "Along with Gods: The Two Worlds" (2017). 

Park Sangyoung (center), author and screenwriter of "Love in the Big City," on May 16 attends a panel discussion at the Warsaw International Book Fair.

May 16 featured a discussion on Korean literature's global reach, followed by sessions with noted authors Chung Bora ("Cursed Bunny") and Park Sangyoung ("Love in the Big City"). 

The day concluded with the concert "Lyric Echoes: Polish Poem, Korean Timbre," in which the Polish group Hashtag Ensemble performed a composition by Lee Sangjun and Gim Youshin inspired by Wieslawa Szymborska's poetry. 

The Korean Pavilion at the fair displays Korea's literary works. 

The third day featured discussed cultural dialogue and translation challenges through Q&As with bestselling Korean authors Kim Ho-yeon ("Uncanny Convenience Store"), Shin Kyung-Sook ("I Went to See My Father") and Yun Jungeun ("Marigold Mind Laundry").

The fair concluded on May 18 with appearances by writers Yeon Somin ("The Healing Season of Pottery") and Jeon Hyejin ("Ghosts and Goddesses: Women in Korean Beliefs"), followed by a screening of the 2024 film adaptation of Park's novel. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.