SIBF 2025 18-22 June, 2025 l COEX Halls A & B1
Special Program
Spotlight Country Oman
Lectures and Cultural Programs
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Korea, Sultanate of Oman participates as Spotlight Country at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024. Various programs awaits for readers where they can explore Oman’s unique literature, publishing culture, and meet prominent Omani writers, including Jokha Alharthi, the winner of the 2019 International Booker Prize. We hope this special opportunity will provide a chance to appreciate Oman’s culture, which has enjoyed a close relationship with Korea for half a century.
Lectures
[Seminar] Dialogue Session on the Novel … the Astonishment of the Omani Narrative
l Speaker: Bushra Al Wahaibi (Novelist, Poet), Mohammed bin Khalfan AlYahyai (Writer, Researcher, Ph.D. in political history and Oman's ruling), Zahran Al Qasimi (Novelist, Poet)
l Moderator: Huda Hamad (Managing editor of Nizwa magazine, Writer)
- Date/Time: June 27 (Thu) 14:00-17:00
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
A discussion session that explores the spaces of narrative by hosting a group of experiences in the field of novels,
presenting testimonies in selected novels from their narrative output, recounting their lives.
l Speaker: Hilal Al Hajri (Ph.D. in comparative Literature)
l Speaker: Lee Hee-soo (Honorary professor of Cultural Anthropology Department, Hanyang University),
Mohammed bin Khalfan AlYahyai (Writer, Researcher, Ph.D. in political history and Oman's ruling)
[Theme Lecture] Liberation
l Speaker: Eun hee-kyung (Novelist), Jokha Alharthi (Novelist)
presenting testimonies in selected novels from their narrative output, recounting their lives.
[Seminar] The Reality of Translation in Oman and the Possible Prospects for Cooperation between Korean and Arabic Language
l Speaker: Hilal Al Hajri (Ph.D. in comparative Literature)
- Date/Time: June 28 (Fri) 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
A discussion session that sheds light on the reality of translation in the Sultanate of Oman, its impact on the publishing movement,
and the possible prospects for cooperation beween the Arabic and Korean languages, given the pivotal role that translation plays,
to achieve the goals of cooperation and exchange in the cultural field, and to enhance building bridges of communication between the Omani and Korean.
[Theme Seminar] Cultural Exchange between Oman and Korea: 50 Years of Friendship and Cooperation
and the possible prospects for cooperation beween the Arabic and Korean languages, given the pivotal role that translation plays,
to achieve the goals of cooperation and exchange in the cultural field, and to enhance building bridges of communication between the Omani and Korean.
[Theme Seminar] Cultural Exchange between Oman and Korea: 50 Years of Friendship and Cooperation
l Speaker: Lee Hee-soo (Honorary professor of Cultural Anthropology Department, Hanyang University),
Mohammed bin Khalfan AlYahyai (Writer, Researcher, Ph.D. in political history and Oman's ruling)
- Date/Time: June 29 (Sat) 16:00-17:30
- Venue: Readers Hall 1
This event commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Oman.
It examines cultural exchanges that have taken place over half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974,
along with the ancient trade in the 7th century between the Silla Dynasty and Oman.
The aim is to explore future avenues for desirable cooperation between the two nations.
[Theme Lecture] Liberation
l Speaker: Eun hee-kyung (Novelist), Jokha Alharthi (Novelist)
l Moderator: Heo hee (Literary critic)
- Date/Time: June 29 (Sat) 17:30-19:00
- Venue: Book Salon
Jokha Alharthi, the Oman novelist whose won the 2019 Man Booker International Prize,
and Eun Hee-Kyung, who has been exploring human uniqueness through literature for nearly 30 years,
join us for a conversation about human dignity and freedom in an age of violence and conflict.
Join us for a conversation with two novelists who envision a worldwhere understanding,respect for others, and diversity can coexist.
Cultural Programs
[Exhibition] Books from Oman
- Date/Time : at all times
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
※ The details will be updated soon.
[Exhibition] Manuscripts
- Date/Time : at all times
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
※ The details will be updated soon.
[Cultural Program] Calligraphy Live Show
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
※ The details will be updated soon.
[Cultural Program] Taste of Oman
- Date/Time : at all times
- Venue: Spotlight Country Oman Stand
To highlight the Omani generosity and hospitality, we will serve Omani sweets and coffee, which the Sultanate of Oman is famous for.
