"Sveiki! Latvia - Exhibition of Original Picture Book Illustrations"

On 25 October 2024, an exhibition featuring a joint creation by Latvian writers and illustrators – the original illustrations in the “Horse”  catalogue and those produced by one of its illustrators, Anete Melece – was unveiled in an official ceremony at the National Library for Children and Young Adults of Korea in Seoul. The exhibition is organized by the National Library for Children and Young Adults of Korea in cooperation with the Embassy of Latvia in the Republic of Korea and with support from the “Latvian Literature” platform. The exhibition will be open for viewing until 28 February 2025.

The “Horse” catalogue contains 20 stories about horses told by different generations of well-known Latvian writers and illustrators. The catalogue published by the “Latvian Literature” platform in 2017 was created by Latvian illustrators and children’s authors as a presentation material to an international audience of professionals in preparation for a Latvian literature publicity campaign during the London Book Fair 2018. In addition to the illustrations from the “Horse” catalogue, there are also works displayed by one of the catalogue’s illustrators, Anete Melece.

Books illustrated by Anete Melece have been translated into 20 different languages, for the most part, into Korean. In total, those are seven editions, the most popular of which is a book titled “The Kiosk”.

Ms Melece also took part in the unveiling of the exhibition; in addition, over several days in Seoul, she presented a vast programme enjoyed not only by the little readers and young people but also by professionals.

Ms Melece’s literary programme consisted of readings from the book, “Stella’s Stolen Sleep”, and running a creative workshop for children at the National Library for Children and Young Adults in Korea, followed by an interview with young reporters from the library’s “Booker Booker” readers club and a heartfelt meeting with Korean illustrators.

The highlight of Ms Melece’s visit was the artist’s joint project with Korean illustrators – a painting on the glass walls of the Kuldīga in Seoul Bookstore and Cultural Space, which will be available for viewing until 30 November. In conclusion, Anete Melece and a popular Korean illustrator Lee JeeEun engaged in a conversation with an audience of 150 people interested in their works.

The events attracted great interest and enthusiasm from those present, thus enhancing visibility of Latvian literature and expanding the opportunities for further cooperation in Korea.

Photo:  Korean National Library for Children and Young Adults