Sentences Carried by the Autumn Breeze, A Day at the Seongbuk Chaek-Mokkoji Book Festival

A Library Moved to the Square: The Autumn Landscape Welcomed in Seongbuk

On an afternoon when the cool air brushed against my cheeks, the area around 168 Bomun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, was filled with a unique energy. I visited the 'Seongbuk Chaek-Mokkoji (Seongbuk Book Festival)', which moved out of the rectangular space of the library and onto an open square. Knowing it was the first outdoor festival in 6 years, I felt a flutter of excitement even before arriving. As soon as I entered the venue, the scent of old paper from used bookstores mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, creating a wonderful sense of anticipation.

People gathered in small groups along the paths, children’s laughter, and book pages fluttering in the gentle autumn breeze created a scene that felt like something out of a movie. I could sense that not only library librarians but also local university students and local shops had joined forces to make this happen. It was a moment where I could feel firsthand how the neighborhood of Seongbuk connects people, going beyond just browsing books.

'Seongbuk-gu One Book' Created by 4,100 Voices

The highlight of this festival was undoubtedly the 'Seongbuk-gu One Book' proclamation ceremony. I was amazed to learn that over 4,100 residents served as the 'One Book Promotion Group' for the past 10 months, reading and discussing together to select the book. It wasn't just decided by someone else; it was a book chosen by the hands of the residents themselves after meeting and communicating with the authors of the 12 candidate books, giving the title a special weight.

At the proclamation ceremony, the District Mayor, past steering committee chairs, and even a child representative gathered on stage to announce this year's book. Seeing the pride on their faces, I felt a lump in my throat for some reason. The subsequent congratulatory performance by singer Stella Jang brought the festival's atmosphere to a climax. As her clear voice filled the square, people sitting around clapped at their own pace, fully enjoying the autumn afternoon.

Simple Tips to Properly Enjoy Autumn in Seongbuk

If you are visiting the Seongbuk Chaek-Mokkoji, don't rush. Since it's a festival held in an urban square, the greatest pleasure is taking the time to find a spot under the shade and turn the pages of a book. The alleys around Bomun-ro are also great for a stroll, so don't just see the festival site—try stopping by a nearby local shop for a warm cup of tea.

If you want to look around the neighborhood, I recommend the path along the Seongbukcheon (Seongbuk Stream). If you take a light walk while carrying the lingering impressions of the book festival, you can feel the unique, tranquil charm of the neighborhood. Since it's in a location with convenient public transportation, why not head out lightly by subway or bus? As the wind gets a little chillier, taking an extra layer and spending time with the sentences in the square will be one of the finest memories of this autumn.