GREAT HOUSE OF PEOPLE'S STUDIES

This library spreads over 100 000 m2, has 600 items and up to 30 million books can be stored there. Moreover, it was refurbished in only 21 months! Everything must be perfect and grandiose for this library that was built on the occasion of Kim Il-Sung's 70th birthday. It is the most publicized North Korean Monument: all military parades and a large majority of mass events that take place on Kim Il-Sung Square that it dominates. It is also in the background of many videos broadcast outside the borders.

This place is dedicated to education and according to the library guides, there are more than 10 000 writings and documents relating to Kim Il-Sung; it is also the main study centre of the Juche philosophy in the country and a place where the population which cannot afford to buy a computer, can have access to computers and the national intranet. Upstairs the rooms are dedicated to specific themes and to the teaching of foreign languages.

The various foreign visitors have all been able to see some books in English, shown by the librarians, but it turns out that they have seen the same over the years... It is unclear whether or not the premises have access to the foreign literature available on the reserve of the institution: it seems that an authorisation is necessary. In addition to the written documents, audio documents are available: you can listen to the famous song Yellow Submarine of the Beatles. Don’t hesitate to ask!

The architecture of the building is purely Korean-inspired and deliberately opulent with large mosaics, oversized chandeliers and gigantic reading rooms. Built in the early 1970 years, it was at the forefront of technology of the time: analogue televisions, a sophisticated delivery system of books on rails, computer software to look for documents... But nothing has really changed since then. So it's as if you are back in the past! Many visitors had the same feeling: the place is huge but empty, the visit is a little long but worth a look: the view of the terraces on the Kim Il-Sung Square, the river and the Juche Tower is exceptional. You will find nice books in this small shop small shop, in French or in other languages, which are not available in other stores (children's books...)

Role of libraries. In his report on North Korean libraries, Marc Kosciejew uses the conceptual framework of the library to better clarify its meaning: “first, it plays many important roles in the lives of North Koreans: it acts as an place of ideology, of the cult of personalities, of governmental power and social location. Secondly, it contributes to the promotion, maintenance and strengthening of Juche Communist control through closely controlled and supervised information, collections, events, exhibitions and shows. Thirdly, the great House of people's studies, as a representative of all libraries, is a strong physical and symbolic representation: it is a special place where civic education, religion, national identity and the cult of personalities meet and are imagined. And finally, although they are State control instruments, the fact that libraries offer at least access to information is remarkable for such a closed country. »