The festival at Sinnae Neighborhood Park on Saturday will feature reading activities, performances and an outdoor library, along with awards for 74 top participants in the pre-school reading program and a giveaway of 2,000 children's books.
Jungnang-gu will host the 11th Jungnang Book Festival at Sinnae Neighborhood Park on Saturday.
Themed "Book Camping This Fall," the festival combines books and camping to help residents discover the joy of reading. Libraries, reading clubs, schools and community libraries will take part, offering programs including reading activities, performances and book giveaways.
The event kicks off at 1 p.m. with an awards ceremony for top participants in the district's "Read 1,000 Books Before School" program. Launched in 2019, the initiative helps preschool children build reading habits; to date, 797 children have completed the 1,000-book challenge. This year about 1,400 children are taking part. Following 62 award recipients in the first half of the year, 74 second-half honorees will receive certificates and medals at the festival.
After the ceremony, activities and performances will run until 4 p.m. Hands-on programs include making wire-frame dolls, crafting keycaps and a camping experience at an outdoor library. Performances include a book magic show by "Sangsang Baedal-bu" and a reading-themed puppet show, "Kkomji and the Giant Nostril." A reading camping zone where visitors can relax with a book and a Jungnang reading-culture promotional booth will also be set up.
A children's book giveaway will also take place. Organized with the National Book-Reading Cities Council and Good Neighbors, the event will distribute 2,000 early-reader books donated by Good Neighbors, giving children broader access to books while promoting a culture of reading and sharing.
"I hope this book festival gives residents a chance to enjoy reading and create cherished memories with their families," Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said. "As the chair city of the National Book-Reading Cities Council, we will continue to foster exchange and cooperation among reading cities and build an environment where every resident can naturally encounter books in their daily lives."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
