The 2011 Seoul International Book Fair, one of the biggest book events in Korea, kicked off on Wednesday.

　With the theme “Books are a Thousand Eyes into the Future,” the 17th annual fair is attracting book lovers of all ages.

　The event features some 570 publishers from 23 different countries including France, Germany, Italy. 　Publishers have on display a wide variety of genres including science, culture and arts.

　In honor of the Tripitaka Koreana’s 1000th year anniversary, the fair has set up a special “Korean documents in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World” exhibit.

　The exhibit displays some of the over 80,000 wooden printing blocks, containing Buddhist scriptures.

　There is also a section where children and adults may experience woodblock printing, using replicas

　With print slowly backing out for the digital era, the fair has set up a special digital publication exhibit.

　On display are some 600 digital publications on 70 different devices including smartphones and tablet PCs.

　　The “Books are Alive” exhibit features pop-up books from all over the world, and has a crafts corner for children to try their hand at making their own.

　The fair will go on till the 19th.

　Herald News Robert Lee


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