The outdoor reading festival runs Oct. 10–11 and Oct. 17–18 along the Bulgwangcheon walkway, featuring themed reading spaces, hands-on activities and a "book-gazing" program.
Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu will host its 2026 Book Culture Festival, titled "A Very Ordinary Day," along the Bulgwangcheon walkway between Sineung Bridge and Dubitmnarae Bridge on Saturday and Sunday and again Oct. 17–18.
The event is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Library's outdoor library expansion support project for autonomous districts, and aims to give residents a place to relax with books in the open air while offering a range of reading culture programs.
Eunpyeong-gu's public district libraries and community libraries will jointly run the festival, operating themed reading spaces, hands-on experience programs, a "book-gazing" program and a ceremony honoring contributors to reading promotion.
The festival grounds will feature curated reading corners organized around themes such as "Family & Picnic," "Health & Healing" and "Creation & Coexistence," with books selected for each theme on display.
Hands-on activities include transcribing favorite passages from books, making Braille embroidery keychains, upcycled pin badges and mini-book keychains, and joining reading sessions led by a writer in residence at the district library. Visitors can also learn traditional board games — janggi and baduk — from senior residents at Eunpyeong Chundang, a rest space for older adults along the Bulgwangcheon.
A "book-gazing" program — reading quietly while taking in the surroundings — will also be on offer. "Reading with Classical Music" requires no advance registration and is open to walk-in participants on the day. "Urban Landscape Sketching" and a singing-bowl meditation session require prior registration through the Eunpyeong District Library website; sign-ups for the two programs opened Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
On Oct. 17, a ceremony will recognize contributors to reading promotion, presenting awards for best reading family, outstanding staff and outstanding volunteer. The Eunpyeong District Library club "Jak.A.Ul." will also perform at the event.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is open to anyone visiting the Bulgwangcheon, not only Eunpyeong-gu residents.
"I hope visitors will take a moment to rest along the Bulgwangcheon in the autumn breeze, sharing the joy of reading with family, friends and neighbors," District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said. "I look forward to this festival becoming an opportunity for people to encounter books and culture right in their everyday lives."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
