Life Stories in Handwriting for Those in Their 60s, Rock for Homemakers' Second Act... Libraries Become Stages

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to hold "Libraries Connect Through Art" at National Library of Korea on Nov. 3
Libraries receiving support for arts clubs increased sixfold, from 50 to 300
Exhibition of more than 500 works, from AI-reimagined documentary heritage to hanji crafts
Performances include a homemaker rock band, a youth classical ensemble and an original shadow play

Older adults who, after turning 60, have put their lives into handwritten words, and homemakers who learned instruments later in life and formed a rock band. People who once came to libraries to read books are now creating their own works and taking the stage. An event will showcase a year's worth of activities by arts clubs at public libraries across the country.

Promotional poster for the “2026 Library Cultural and Arts Club Activities Support Results Sharing Event: Libraries Connected Through Art,” to be held on the 3rd at the International Conference Hall of the National Library of Korea in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The event will feature an exhibition of around 500 works created by members of cultural and arts clubs at public libraries nationwide, along with a variety of performances, including classical music, rock bands and shadow theater. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will hold the "2026 Library Arts Club Activities Support Program: Results Showcase - Libraries Connect Through Art" on November 3 at the International Conference Hall of the National Library of Korea in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

The event will show how libraries are expanding beyond places for reading and accessing materials to become spaces where local residents can create art and enjoy cultural activities. This year, the ministry increased the number of public libraries receiving support for arts club activities sixfold, from 50 nationwide last year to 300.

Sixteen clubs will take part in the exhibition, presenting more than 500 works, including picture books, calligraphy, hanji crafts and literary paintings.

The Sadam club at Seongnam Jungwon Library in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, will exhibit 45 picture books and original illustrations that reinterpret Korean documentary heritage, including "Donguibogam" and "Muyedobotongji," using artificial intelligence (AI). Eunbit Insaeng at Cheongcheon Library in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, will present 66 handwritten works expressing the lives, memories and emotions of its members aged 60 and older.

Geummukhoe at Ulju Library in Ulsan will present traditional literary paintings created on ceramics instead of traditional painting paper. Upcycling Pop-up Tree at Jungnang Forest Children's Library in Seoul has given discarded storybooks a new life as three-dimensional books, while Picture Book Research Group I at Chilgok Library in North Gyeongsang Province has combined picture books with natural essential oils and recycled-paper crafts.

Starting at 2 p.m., four clubs will perform. Moamam Band, a homemaker rock band from Jungang Library in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, will perform five songs, including its original song "ROCK & HOPE," under the theme "Singing of the Second Act of Life."

Petit Cochon Bridge Ensemble at Gangdong Central Library in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, will present a classical concert combining picture-book readings with violin, cello and piano performances. Dreaming Shadow at Wirye Library in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, will perform "Box Villa," an original shadow play about conflicts between neighbors, including disputes over inter-floor noise and cigarette smoke.

Booksoli Reads Aloud at Mapo Central Library has developed its volunteer work reading picture books to children into a staged reading performance. The group will perform "The Boy Who Became an Ox" and "The Old Woman and the Tiger."

The results showcase is an event where local residents share the results of learning about and creating arts and culture at their libraries. It will also highlight examples of clubs that began as reading groups and expanded their activities into areas such as performances, crafts and publishing.

Jeong Hyangmi, director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Arts and Culture Policy Office, said, "Libraries are expanding their role beyond places for sharing books and knowledge to become community spaces where residents learn together and create culture. I hope this event will give club members an opportunity to share their achievements and discover new possibilities."

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