Busan is good

A Special Journey Where Books Meet the Sea: Busan Sea Library Opens

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon), together with the Busan Cultural Foundation, announced that the first-half Busan Sea Library event will be held every Saturday and Sunday from June 13 to July 5 (excluding June 20–21) from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Millak Waterfront Park in Suyeong-gu.

Marking the 150th anniversary of the opening of Busan Port, this event has been designed around the theme of “Arrival,” the first stage of the reading journey of the maritime city of Busan. It symbolizes a voyage toward new worlds through books while significantly expanding open reading spaces and hands-on programs that anyone can enjoy without burden.

The official opening ceremony, which will launch the event, will take place at 3:00 p.m. on June 13 at the outdoor stage of Millak Waterfront Park.

A variety of outdoor library spaces will be created throughout Millak Waterfront Park, allowing visitors to relax and read while enjoying views of the sea.

In addition to a themed book curation zone featuring approximately 2,400 recommended books, a camping-style reading space, “Milsu Café (Millak Culture Camping Zone),” operated in collaboration with Suyeong-gu, will be available. Customized “Booknic Kits” and dedicated kits for visitors accompanied by pets will also be provided, offering guests a unique and comfortable outdoor reading experience.

A rich lineup of cultural and artistic programs and performances will further enhance the enjoyment of reading.

Through the signature author talk series “Book Talk City,” featuring writers such as Kim Cho-yeop and Jeong Dae-geon, citizens will have opportunities to engage directly with authors. Additional programs include Reading Parties that encourage immersion in books without smartphones, events in collaboration with local cafés, dance busking performances, and outdoor film screenings against the backdrop of the night sea.

In particular, “B-Book Spot,” featuring participation from 110 local libraries, bookstores, and publishing houses, along with various experiential booths, will actively promote the vitality of Busan’s reading culture ecosystem.

The city will also introduce an official membership program, “Biblin,” to encourage continuous participation in reading activities. Online promotional campaigns utilizing local creators and citizen ambassadors will further strengthen both online and offline engagement.

The event is open to all visitors, although advance registration is required for some programs.

More information is available on the Busan Sea Library website (www.bb.bscf.or.kr/bb) and Instagram (@bibliotheca_busan).

Kim Gwi-ok, Director General of the Youth and Industry-Academia Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The Busan Sea Library is a pioneering maritime outdoor library model that combines Busan’s unique asset—the sea—with reading. Ahead of the World Library and Information Congress to be held in Busan this August, we expect this event to showcase Busan’s reading culture capabilities and enhance the city’s brand value both domestically and internationally.”

Kim added, “We hope that both residents and visitors will enjoy books and culture together against the beautiful backdrop of Busan’s sea and experience the joy of reading in everyday life.”