Cultural Journey Encountered in Paju: DMZ World Literature Festa 2026

• List
• More options
  • Edit
  • Delete

• Facebook
• Twitter

A Cultural Journey Encountered in Paju

DMZ World Literature Festa 2026

A special cultural event was held in the DMZ and Paju Book City.

From March 27 to 29, "DMZ World Literature Festa 2026" took place at Camp Greaves and the surrounding areas of Paju Book City.

The theme was "The Language of Life in the Land of Silence." This event was not just a literary festival but a gathering of global literary figures in the DMZ, a symbol of division, to discuss peace.

The festival commenced with an opening ceremony at Camp Greaves and featured over 70 bookstores from across the country, independent publishers, and special booths in Paju Book City.

The Asian Publishing Information Cultural Center buzzed with the atmosphere of a publishing city as spring began.

Camp Greaves, once a U.S. military base, now stands as a significant cultural and tourist site near the DMZ, symbolizing the only divided country in the world.

Even now, wars are raging across the globe, including in Ukraine and Gaza, with many suffering amidst the chaos.

In this military facility, in the border area of Paju, where 73 years have passed since the armistice, writers from around the world gathered to forge solidarity for peace through books and literature.

Notable writers, including 2015 Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich, who has testified to the tragedies of the former Soviet Union, joined domestic authors and international guests from Germany, Palestine, Japan, the Philippines, and South Africa.

In a discussion, Alexievich stated, "If we forget the wars of the past, new wars will begin." Author Hwang Sok-yong remarked, "We have built a few steps toward peace, and now we have created the final step."

The gathering of world writers in Paju aimed to reconnect what has been severed by silence through the thread of literature.

Paju, a city where books are created and borders meet the DMZ, is a city that embodies the essence of discussing literature and peace.

The "DMZ World Literature Festa 2026" fully showcased this identity of Paju.

Through discussions with authors, the voices of global writers spoke of life, peace, coexistence, and equality, prompting reflection on the realities of division and the meaning of peace.

The book fair "Between" held at the Wisdom Forest Multipurpose Hall featured bookstores and independent shops from across the country, presenting various programs and content centered around peace and life.

As families strolled around holding their children's hands, I realized how necessary such events are.

This event was not merely a "viewing event" but a cultural festival to experience firsthand.

A sense of solemnity overtook the atmosphere, as it was a time to embrace peace through literature.

Paju is a city where books, culture, and peace intersect. The DMZ World Literature Festa was an opportunity to feel this potential up close.

During the closing ceremony, the 416 Choir, composed of families of victims and survivors of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, took the stage wearing yellow shirts.

Their songs conveyed a depth of life and peace beyond words.

Though the festival has ended, I hope the sentences of peace left throughout this city become seeds of life, leading to broader peace solidarity.

This cultural journey in Paju was not just a historical exploration but a meaningful journey to encounter world literature in the special space of the DMZ.

It was a precious experience to naturally enjoy and reflect on the messages of history, culture, and peace all at once.

Source :https://blog.naver.com/paju_si/224237235922

Like0 Dislike0