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.
