Suwon to Host International Children's Book Content Festival 'BookKidsCon'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] An international children's book content festival called 'BookKidsCon' featuring approximately 5,000 children's books published in over 10 countries will be held at the Suwon Convention Center from October 5 to 9.

The City of Suwon, in cooperation with Gyeonggi Province, the Suwon Convention Center Foundation, Iszepmpi Co., Ltd., and the Korea Publishers Association, will host BookKidsCon with support from the Korea Tourism Organization's convergence international conference business program.

BookKidsCon will feature the theme "Diverse Growth, Greater Possibilities" and will bring together over 350 children's publishing companies from 10+ countries and approximately 200 overseas illustrators. The festival will showcase approximately 5,000 children's books published in 10+ countries, and various lectures by children's book industry professionals are planned.

A special lecture by Bonobo creator Mikio Igarashi on October 5 will be followed by lectures from Robin Mullan Miller, chairman of the International Play Association (IPA), and Fiona Sutherland, chairman of London Play. On October 6, a talk show featuring Suwon-based author and illustrator Yi Eok-bae, author Seo Hyun, and author Park Yeon-chul will be held, along with a content lecture by trend book author Ro Ga-young.

Various events for children will also take place. On October 5 at 10:30 a.m., a drawing competition with approximately 2,000 children will be held, and on the 6th, a children's folk song competition featuring 25 teams will be staged.

On October 7-8, a children's music and dance concert called 'Kids Music Plus Con' will be held at the outdoor exhibition hall of Suwon Convention Center, and on the 9th, a unique twin fashion show will be held in the open plaza.

The city plans to align with the exhibition theme by displaying artwork from people with developmental disabilities, showcasing works from developing countries, hosting performances by socially disadvantaged groups, and launching a fundraising campaign to send children's books to developing countries.

Additionally, various attractions will be available including ▲ London Natural History Museum climate change experience exhibition Korean special exhibition 'Our Broken Planet' ▲ Letter-writing event to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling ▲ Photo zones featuring popular characters such as Moomin and Bonobo ▲ Suwon Special Zone featuring Duck Library, Seed Library, Insect Library, Haeuji Library, and Puppy Library ▲ Experience booths from Urban Sketchers, a global art community comprising approximately 500 members from 15 countries, and more.

Kang Woo-hyun, chairman of the BookKidsCon promotion committee, said, "Suwon is a city that received high-level certification for being child-friendly in 2022 by UNICEF," adding, "With a library within five minutes' distance and as a city of humanities, Suwon is the ideal city to host an international children's book fair." He continued, "The hosting of BookKidsCon will be a great opportunity for children to engage with books in an enjoyable manner through books and content, giving them wings of imagination."