Paju Book City, home to some 300 local publishing houses in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is throwing its annual book-themed festival, focusing on Asian literature and authors this year.

Dubbed “Paju Booksori,” the festival celebrates its third edition this year. The event, which opened Saturday, includes lectures, performances and exhibitions, featuring authors and publishers from home and abroad.

One of the festival’s exhibitions features the life and works of Yi I (1536-1584), one of the most prominent Joseon-period Confucian scholars, whose teachings and writings emphasized the importance of self-cultivation as the basis of proper administration. His mother, Shin Saimdang (1504-1551), was a renowned artist, calligrapher and writer. Paju is home to Jawun Seowon, a memorial hall built to commemorate Yi. It is Paju’s representative cultural site.

A number of local scholars including Hwang Eui-dong and Han Young-woo will give lectures on Yi’s philosophy and teachings, while there will be a special program available for children. A collection of books about Yi’s life and works will be also available for sale throughout the festival.

Another exhibition features some 80 antique maps from Korea and abroad, some of which are currently housed in Kyung Hee University Hye Jung Museum.

Some 30 writers from 16 Asian countries are participating in the book festival, including Taiwanese writer Li Ang, Thai author Chart Korbjitti and Kyrgyzstani writer Kojogeldi Kuluev. Participating Korean authors include Hwang Sok-yong, Lee Kyung-jae, Jeon Seong-tae and Kim Mi-wol.

Three British authors, including Tim Bowler, who is best known for his novel “River Boy,” and Julia Golding, of “Cat O’Nine Tails” and “The Queen’s Lad,” are also participating in the event.

The festival also presents a set of jazz concerts and indie music performances.

This year’s Paju Booksori runs until Oct. 6 in a number of venues in Paju. For more information, visit www.pajubooksori.org.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)