'80th Anniversary' National Library of Korea to Hold Commemorative Ceremony on the 15th: 'Celebratory Concert and Special Exhibition'

Commemorative Ceremony and Awards for Contributors on October 15
Celebratory Performances and Special Exhibition to Be Held

The National Library of Korea will hold a commemorative event on October 15 to mark its 80th anniversary, with activities taking place throughout the library grounds. The event will include a commemorative ceremony, a music concert, and a special exhibition.

National Library of Korea 80th Anniversary Ceremony Event Poster. Courtesy of the National Library of Korea

The commemorative ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the International Conference Hall. The event will start with a commemorative address by Hee-seop Kim, Director General of the National Library of Korea, followed by congratulatory speeches from Youngsoo Kim, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Heeyoon Yoon, Chairperson of the National Library Committee. Congratulatory video messages from the heads of national libraries in 12 countries will also be released. The ceremony will continue with awards for individuals who have contributed to the development of the library, as well as a calligraphy performance featuring the 80th anniversary commemorative slogan.

The library concert will be held at noon on the library’s lawn plaza. The performers include cellist Hong Jinho, bandoneonist Ko Sangji, pianist Choi Moonseok, musical actors Yoon Jiin and Park Yugyeom, the Korean traditional music a cappella group ToriS, and the Etica Ensemble. The event will be hosted by announcer Park Hyejin. A mini talk show and a reading stage will follow.

80th Anniversary Special Exhibition Poster of the National Library of Korea. Provided by the National Library of Korea

Starting October 15, the special exhibition for the 80th anniversary, "My Dream, Our Records, the Bookshelves of Koreans," will open. This exhibition will showcase around 200 volumes from the National Library’s collection, including national treasures and first editions of major works, organized by era and theme. Visitors will be able to trace the evolution of Korean reading culture through a total of 23 bookshelves, spanning from royal books of the Joseon Dynasty, through liberation, war, industrialization, democratization, and up to the bookshelves of Millennials & Gen Z and Hallyu fans.

On the opening day of the exhibition, the original copies of "Donguibogam" (National Treasure and UNESCO Memory of the World), "Seokbosangjeol" (Treasure), and "Sanggyojeongbon Jabidoryangchambeop" (Treasure) will be unveiled. During the exhibition period, inaugural issues of magazines such as "Sonyeon," "Cheongchun," and "Byeolgeongon," as well as first editions of modern works like "Yoon Dongju Poetry Collection" and "Baekbeom Ilji," will also be displayed.

In particular, a bookshelf curated with favorite books personally selected by world-renowned esports team T1 members Choi Hyeonjun (Doran), Moon Hyeonjun (Oner), Lee Sanghyeok (Faker), Lee Minhyung (Gumayusi), and Ryu Minseok (Keria) will be featured.

Hee-seop Kim, Director General of the National Library of Korea, stated, "The 80 years of the National Library of Korea are not merely a record of time, but a history containing the spirit of an era and the dreams of the people," adding, "I hope this 80th anniversary will serve as a starting point for opening new paths of knowledge."

Since its establishment immediately after Korea’s liberation in 1945, the National Library of Korea has served as the nation’s representative library, collecting, preserving, and providing knowledge and cultural heritage. It currently holds approximately 15 million volumes and over 20 million online resources. The library has expanded its roles and responsibilities by opening the National Library for Children and Young Adults in 2006, the Digital Library in 2009, and the National Sejong Library in 2013. In 2028, the National Archives Preservation Center is scheduled to be built in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.

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