35 International Literary Masters Visit Korea... Seoul International Writers' Festival Held Online and Offline After 3 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] “We will make it a world-class festival representing Korea.”

This is the ambition expressed by Kwak Hyo-hwan, president of the Korea Literature Translation Institute. At a press conference held on the 14th at a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, President Kwak said, “We have created a space where readers and writers can joyfully meet, play, and explore new things together,” adding, “We will strive to make people think of the Seoul International Writers’ Festival when they think of Seoul.”

The theme of this year’s 11th Seoul International Writers’ Festival is “Crossing the Wall: Beyond Stories.” After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival welcomes audiences in person again. Twelve overseas writers from eight countries and twenty-three domestic writers participate, offering a variety of events. Notably, many overseas writers who have received prestigious international literary awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Akutagawa Prize, Hugo Award, and National Book Award are visiting Korea.

Overseas writers will participate in nineteen segments including readings, dialogues, and performances. In the “Writers Face to Face” session, where one overseas and one domestic writer engage in dialogue, Kang Hwa-gil, known as a master of thrillers, and Murata Sayaka, winner of the Akutagawa Prize for “Convenience Store Woman,” will discuss “Women and Gender.” Kim Eon-su, a representative of “K-Thriller,” and India’s Megha Majumdar will talk about “Narrative.” Additionally, Kim Bo-young and Lee Yoon-ha (USA), Ha Seong-ran and Samantha Schweblin (Argentina), Lee Won and Sasha Dugdale (UK), and Lim Cheol-woo and Karina Sainz Borgo (Venezuela) will exchange views beyond language barriers.

In the “Writers’ Chat” session, Cheon Seon-ran, Jo Ye-eun, and American Naomi Kritzer will engage in discussions on various topics. Naomi Kritzer won both the Hugo Award and the Locus Award in 2016, considered the Nobel Prize of the SF world. Also participating are Kang Young-sook, Cheon Un-young, Choi Don-mi (USA), Kim Hyun, Oh Eun, and Wu Ming-yi (Taiwan), who will share opinions on borders and relationships. Wu Ming-yi was nominated for the Booker International Prize in 2018 for “The Stolen Bicycle.”

In the “Writer’s Room” session, where writers and translators converse, Colombian writer Santiago Gamboa and translator Song Byung-seon, as well as poet Kim Hye-soon and American translator Choi Don-mi, will exchange detailed views on translation.

President Kwak said, “We had difficulties holding the event properly over the past two years due to COVID-19 (held online), but this year we are welcoming audiences on-site. I see this as a signal of returning to daily life,” adding, “I believe attendees will be able to reflect on what the essence of literature is and what role it should play.”

The festival opens with lectures by poet Kim Hye-soon, winner of the Cicada Prize (Swedish Literary Award), and Forest Gander, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. From the 23rd to the 30th, the festival will be held simultaneously online and offline at Seoul Life Culture Center Seogyo (Hapjeong), Community House Masil (Myeongdong), and Incheon Airport.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.