Oman Honored as Distinguished Guest at Seoul International Book Fair 2024
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman will be a distinguished guest at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024, scheduled to be held from June 26 to 30, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Omani-Korean cultural relations.
The 2024 Seoul International Book Fair has selected Oman as a special guest, marking an important opportunity to celebrate the golden jubilee of the longstanding relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Korea. This honor will also recognize the contributions of writers, publishers, and institutions that have shaped Omani culture locally, regionally, and globally. The event underscores the commitment to enhancing communication and interaction between diverse cultures, and the importance of knowledge as a foundation for development, progress, and openness.
His Excellency Sayyid Saeed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, commented on this prestigious participation: “The Sultanate’s participation, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, along with other government institutions such as the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024 will open new horizons of knowledge and facilitate the exchange of experiences between the two countries. Oman and South Korea share close relations across various fields, and the cultural aspect has seen remarkable development. Our participation reflects Oman’s rich culture, civilization, and intellectual heritage, offering a vivid and important portrayal to the Korean public on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.”
Al Busaidi added, “This participation enhances communication and interaction with all cultures, aligning with the ministry’s vision and aspirations through its cultural strategy and achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040. This vision aims to establish principles of a society proud of its identity, citizenship, and culture, and to document and disseminate this heritage globally. We look forward to this participation strengthening cultural, civilizational, and cognitive communication frameworks, reaffirming the Ministry’s efforts in promoting the creative and cultural movement, and confirming its leading role in spreading knowledge and fostering interest in Omani intellect.”
At the event, Oman will present a range of distinguished cultural programs and events focusing on Omani-Korean relations, including dialogue sessions with Omani writers and specialists, and an exhibition of valuable manuscripts. The Omani pavilion will showcase a selection of publications, including translated works, such as the novel “Ladies of the Moon” by Omani writer Jokha Al-Harithi, and a book on Omani-Korean relations, both translated into Korean.
The pavilion will feature several corners: the Omani Publications Corner, representing government and civil society institutions (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Cultural Club, and Society of Writers), the Arabic Calligraphy Corner with live displays, the Omani Manuscripts Corner, and the Omani Majlis Corner offering traditional Omani hospitality. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Omani customs and traditions and explore cultural elements registered on the UNESCO World List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as the art of the Bura’ah, the Omani dagger, cultural spaces, and drinking Omani coffee, through VR technology. Visual presentations showcasing cultural and tourist sites in Oman will also be featured.
