Gyeotnun-jil

A place where Korean literary authors and readers meet in person, Literature Week 2026: Gyeot-nun-jil (A Side-glance)

Think back to the first attempt you made to get closer to someone or something you were curious about. Those moments of trying to get to know them by glancing, peeking, and stealthily looking over. Those attempts may have been clumsy, but they were likely earnest in their own way. Even if you tried to hide your awkwardness, things probably didn't go exactly as planned. Only after spending a long time peeking and glancing do we finally manage to approach, and sometimes, unexpected things happen.

That is how the world of a being expands. It begins with the process of being unable to contain one's curiosity, unfolding it, thinking deeply, and eventually poking around. It is a universal experience to gradually sense another world the moment one encounters literature after touching, tasting, stepping, and listening. Ultimately, a side-glance may be the oldest way of trying to understand the world and the secret starting point we all share.

Looking into a life other than one's own, asking questions that crack the world we believed to be obvious, and watching the surroundings shift in large and small ways is truly moving. The records of those changes are packed within literature. Our "side-glance" could be the beginning of sharing this moment. Literature Week 2026 intends to spend time glancing and looking into one another with you. We hope you will experience the vibrant scene and become clearly aware of different beings while "glancing" together with Literature Week.

● Opening Ceremony

- Date/Time: 9/16, 19:30

- Venue: Arco Arts Theater Small Theater

- Main Program: An opening event to introduce the theme of Literature Week 2026, 'Gyeot-nun-jil' (A Side-glance), and celebrate its 11th anniversary

● Theme Stage

- Venue: Arco Arts Theater Small Theater, Arco Kkum-bat Theater, Artist's House 2F Lounge, Artist's House 3F Multi-purpose Hall

- Main Program: Book talks, readings, dialogues, performances, etc., featuring major domestic authors, playwrights, poets, actors, and directors

● Collaborative Stage

- Venue: Arco Arts Theater Small Theater, Arco Kkum-bat Theater, Artist's House 2F Lounge, Artist's House 3F Multi-purpose Hall

- Main Program: Korean Literature Criticism Forum, Youth Literature Talk, collaborative programs with publishers and literature museums, etc.

● Our Neighborhood Program

- Period: 8/24–9/20 (varies by program)

- Venue: Local bookstores nationwide

- Main Program: Literature Week book talks and workshops held across the country, planned directly by 30 local bookstores

● Exhibition Guide

- Venue: Arco Art Museum 1F Gonggan-yeollim

- Main Program: Collaborative exhibition with the Museum of Modern Children's Book Art

● Participatory Programs

- Venue: Around Marronnier Park

- Main Program: Pop-up booths, book lounge, DIY mirror making experience, mission bingo, etc.