The 2024 Busan International Children’s Book Fair runs from Thursday through Sunday at BEXCO in Busan. Courtesy of Korean Publishers Association
The 2024 Busan International Children’s Book Fair opened Thursday at BEXCO, marking a milestone as the country’s first-ever international children’s book fair.
Hosted in the southern port city, the BICBF aims to elevate the global reputation of Korean children’s literature, a field celebrated abroad but often underappreciated in the country.
Korean children’s books have consistently earned international accolades, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Bologna Ragazzi Award. Moreover, between 2020 and 2022, children’s titles accounted for 28.9 percent of Korea’s total copyright exports, representing 1,204 of 4,167 transactions.
At Thursday’s opening ceremony, Yong Ho-seong, the first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, highlighted the genre’s importance in the publishing industry and praised the authors and publishers who have elevated Korean children’s literature to new heights.
Yong Ho-sung, the first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, delivers a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Busan International Children’s Book Fair at BEXCO in Busan, Thursday. Courtesy of Korean Publishers Association
“I imagine the feelings of those who first organized Italy’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 1964 must be similar to those who dedicated themselves to planning this event,” Yong said.
“This moment owes its success to the authors who create beautiful picture books under challenging conditions and the publishers who make their work possible. My deepest gratitude goes to them.”
The four-day event drew participation from 193 publishers and organizations with 136 domestic and 57 international exhibitors, spanning 16 countries. Additionally, 118 authors and speakers are set to contribute, including 107 from Korea and 11 from abroad.
Notable participants include celebrated Korean authors Andersen Award winner Suzy Lee, bestselling “Cloud Bread” creator Baek Hee-na and Hwang Seon-mi of “The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly.” International guests include Swiss children’s author Davide Cali and Italian illustrator Giulia Pastorino.
Themed “Laputa,” after the floating island in Jonathan Swift’s classic “Gulliver’s Travels,” the fair offers 158 programs, including exhibitions, lectures, seminars and workshops centered on this theme. The theme underscores the imagination and boundless creativity central to children’s literature.
The fair also features interactive activities for children, such as book signing and literary discussions, creating an immersive experience for young attendees.
Attendees at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Busan International Children’s Book Fair launch paper airplanes to commemorate the fair’s kickoff at BEXCO in Busan, Thursday. Courtesy of Korean Publishers Association
Korean Publishers Association President Yoon Chul-ho also expressed hope that the fair would leave a lasting impact on its young audience.
“Just as animated characters like Pororo have showcased the excellence of Korean animation worldwide, our picture book authors are receiving international recognition,” Yoon said. “These creators are inspiring and nurturing dreams in children across the globe.”
He added that this year’s theme reflects the port city’s ambitions.
“Laputa, the floating island in ‘Gulliver’s Travels,’ is described as being 7 kilometers in diameter — similar to the size of Busan. I hope this exhibition becomes a space where children’s dreams can soar and that they leave with unforgettable memories.”
The opening ceremony also featured a performance by the Busan Metropolitan Junior Chorus, whose young members flew paper airplanes with the audience and sang to celebrate the fair’s launch.
The 2024 BICBF runs through Sunday.
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