South Korea will host its inaugural Korean Literature Festival this month, bringing together acclaimed writers from around the world for a two-week celebration of literary arts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the festival will run from September 12-25 at multiple venues across the nation, with primary events taking place in Seoul's historic Daehangno neighborhood in Jongno-gu District.
The festival represents a collaborative effort between several major cultural institutions, including the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, Arts Council Korea, National Museum of Korean Literature, and Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea. This partnership underscores the government's commitment to promoting Korean literature on the international stage while fostering cultural exchange between Korean and foreign writers.
The opening event on September 12 will feature a dialogue between prominent Korean author Hyun Ki Young and renowned Chinese writer Yan Lianke at Ground Seoul, a multipurpose cultural space in the Insa-dong neighborhood. Hyun Ki Young gained international recognition for his 1978 novel "Uncle Suni," which brought crucial attention to the tragic 1948-54 massacre on Jeju Island. Yan Lianke, his Chinese counterpart, has received prestigious honors including China's Lu Xun Literary Prize and Austria's Franz Kafka Prize for his powerful social commentary and satirical works.
The festival will host ten additional authors from eight different countries, creating an impressive international lineup. Notable participants include Victoria Mas from France, Sarah Pinsker from the United States, and Jonas Hassen Khemiri from Sweden. These international writers will engage with their Korean counterparts through various formats, including interactive sessions and question-and-answer periods with readers, fostering direct cultural and literary exchange.
Several specially curated book talks will pair domestic and foreign writers based on thematic connections and literary styles. Lee Suzy, who made history as the first Korean to win the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, will be paired with French picture book writer Adrien Parlange. Jonas Hassen Khemiri, recognized as a leading figure in diaspora literature, will engage with Kim Juhea, a Korean American author who won Russia's Yasnaya Polyana Literary Award. Additionally, Seong Haena, the Korean author behind the bestselling short story collection "Honmono," will participate alongside Japan's Yumi Fuzuki.
One of the festival's highlight events is scheduled for September 13 at the Artist's House in Daehangno, featuring a dialogue between Park Chun-hue (also known as Hue Park) and poet Kim Hyun. Park Chun-hue created and wrote lyrics for the hit musical "Maybe Happy Ending," which achieved remarkable success by winning six Tony Awards. Their conversation will explore the theme "The art world is more difficult than thought and as happy as thought," offering insights into the creative process and the realities of artistic life.
The festival will also showcase contemporary Korean poetry through special readings and performances. On September 19 at ARKO Arts Theater Small Theater, poet Kim Hyesoon will present a complete reading of her new poem collection "Synchronized Sea Anemone." Kim Hyesoon, who won the International Prize for Literature from Germany's Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), will be joined by fellow poets Kim Sang-hyeok and Shin Hae-uk for this special literary event.
For those interested in attending or learning more about the festival's complete programming, detailed information is available on the official websites of the Seoul International Writers' Festival at www.siwf.or.kr and Literary Week 2025 at https://arko.or.kr/content/5445. The inaugural Korean Literature Festival represents a significant milestone in South Korea's efforts to establish itself as a major player in the global literary community while celebrating the rich tradition of Korean storytelling and its contemporary evolution.
