The 2019 Guangzhou International Literary Week opens at Guangzhou Library on Dec 15. [Photo by Wu Bo/dayoo.com]

The 2019 Guangzhou International Literary Week, guided by the China Writers Association, opened at Guangzhou Library on Dec 15, attracting literary masters from countries like China, South Korea, Egypt, and Turkey to the city.

This year's event is themed around two topics, namely celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as boosting cultural communication and cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A variety of activities, such as meet-and-greets with writers and literature seminars, will be held during the literary week. Several cultural landmarks in Guangzhou, including Jinan University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou Book Center, and Fangsuo Bookstore, have been chosen to host activities, allowing locals to experience the charm of literature.

As South Korea is the guest of honor of this year's event, several literary masters from South Korea have been invited, including Hong Jung-sun, winner of the Special Book Award of China.

"Guangzhou is a splendid city, and it has writers and works that glitter like stars in the sky," said Hong. 

Jidi Majia, vice chairman of the China Writers Association, said that Guangzhou is a city known for its strong inclusion that attracts many people. Choosing literature as a bond to connect with the world is meaningful for the integrated development of culture in the Greater Bay Area.

Zhu Xiaoyi, deputy director of the Guangzhou publicity department, noted that Guangzhou has been building a literary platform and bridge that connects the Greater Bay Area with the whole world through the literary week.