Bernard Werber to headline Gyeonggi Library book talk

Bernard Werber / Korea Times file

Bernard Werber, the globally acclaimed French novelist whose imaginative thrillers have long commanded a devoted following in Korea, will anchor a flagship literary event in Gyeonggi Province later this month.

The Gyeonggi Library said Thursday that it will host the bestselling author of "Empire of the Ants" for an intimate book talk on June 28 at 3 p.m. inside the Planet Gyeonggi Hall. The event serves as a centerpiece for the library’s monthly humanities series, "Meet the Planet," and is organized in collaboration with the cultural department of the Embassy of France in Seoul to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The discussion will pivot around Werber’s highly anticipated new novel, "The Waltz of the Souls," slated for domestic release in mid-June. For Korean readers, the event offers a rare window into the universe that Werber has constructed over decades through international hits such as "The Thanatonauts," "Empire of the Angels," and "The Prophecy of the Bees."

The program features an onstage dialogue between Werber and the prominent literary critic Heo Hee, diving into the philosophical inquiries and creative impulses driving the new book. To facilitate immediate engagement with the audience, Kyoto University professor Sara Park will provide translation throughout the evening.

"Bernard Werber’s work possesses a rare duality, pairing profound philosophical questions with an immense popular appeal," Yoon Myung-hee, director of the Gyeonggi Library, said. "We hope this serves as a meaningful forum to engage with one of the most anticipated international releases of the year."

Werber’s enduring popularity in Korea remains a distinct cultural phenomenon. His sweeping allegories on human nature, science and the afterlife regularly outperform domestic fiction on local bestseller lists.

Public registration for the book talk opens on a first-come, first-served basis starting Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m. via the official Gyeonggi Library website (https://www.library.kr/ggl/main). Given the author's extensive local fandom, organizers anticipate that seats for the Planet Gyeonggi Hall venue will fill rapidly.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.