The Intellectual of an Era, Lee O-ryeong 1st Anniversary... Retracing His Intellectual Footsteps Through a Special Exhibition

Special Exhibition at the National Library of Korea from March 25 to April 23

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] A memorial exhibition is being held at the National Library of Korea to commemorate the first anniversary of the late Lee O-ryeong, the inaugural Minister of Culture, who left a profound intellectual legacy as a representative intellectual of his era.

The exhibition is titled 'Lee O-ryeong's Preface'. It will welcome visitors from March 25 to April 23 in the exhibition hall on the first floor of the library's main building. The exhibition was co-planned with the Yeongin Literature Museum, operated by the late minister's wife, Kang In-sook, an emeritus professor at Konkuk University.

The exhibition begins in the 'Corridor of Silence'. After passing through the quiet darkness, visitors are greeted by a handwritten manuscript by the late minister and personal items such as his desk, bag, glasses, and writing instruments.

A total of 185 books he authored during his lifetime are also displayed. Among them, five representative first editions?'Literature of Resistance (1959)', 'In the Soil, In the Wind (1963)', 'The Japanese Who Aspire to Reduction (1982)', 'Semiotics of Space (2000)', and 'Where Did You Come From? (2020)'?are publicly exhibited for the first time.

In addition, videos recreate moments from his role as planner and director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics, his tenure as Minister of Culture, and ordinary daily scenes such as holding his grandson.

Some materials are also available online. Out of a total of 10,789 items including books, lecture materials, handwritten manuscripts, photos, and videos, some have been digitized and will be shared on the website starting from the 24th.

A library official said, "Like Mr. Lee O-ryeong, who walked step by step on paths no one had taken before and lived for that joy, we hope all visitors will courageously and steadily walk their own paths slowly."

A memorial event organized by the bereaved family is scheduled to be held on the 24th at the National Library of Korea International Conference Hall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.