2012 The Foundation's International Literary Exchange
projects for 2012 are as follows:
Daesan-U.C. Berkeley Writer in Residence Program
The Foundation and U.C. Berkeley Writer in Residence
Program was created to promote cultural exchanges between Korea and the
United States and to provide opportunities for new talented writers to experience
and explore their creativity. This year the seventh writer was chosen after
extending their agreement. The Foundation received applications for two
months, starting in October, from literary talents who were below 50 years
of age in the field of poetry, fiction, and drama. The selection committee
was comprised of three members: Professor Chang Kyongnyol at Seoul National
University, Professor Ko Hyongjin at Korea University, and Kwak Hyohwan,
Director of Daesan Foundation. They chose the writer Kim Insook after the
screening process, taking into consideration her contribution in her field,
her English language ability, and her detailed plans during her residency
program.
French Poetry Journal Poesie published a special issue on Korean poetry
To celebrate the publication of Korean poetry in the French journal Poesie, a series of poetry readings began, co-hosted by the Foundation and Poesie, and the first was held in one of the most renowned venues, the Chateau de Chambord, on June 2. After this event, the readings were held again: on June 4, at the Latin American Culture Center in Paris; on June 5, at the Korean Culture Center in Paris; and on June 9, at Geneva University in Switzerland. For this poetry reading event, poets such as Hwang Jiwoo, Kim Hyesoon, and Kwak Hyohwan, who were introduced in Poesie, were invited, together with a critic, Jung Kwanri, and a translator, Ju Hyunjin. It was an honor to be invited to hold a Korean poetry reading at the Chateau de Chambord because only the prominent and prestigious writers in France are invited there. This event was meaningful in examining the status and future of Korean literature in France. For this poetry reading event, the editors of Poesie and the most respected living poets in France, Michel Deguy and Claude Mouchard, participated. The event, “Today’s Korean Poetry,” will help introduce Korean literature all over Europe, commencing with the poetry readings in France and Switzerland.
Sponsorship of the 7th Sejong Composition (Essay Category) Competition
This competition is for those in elementary, middle, and high school, who are Korean Americans/Canadians residing in North America. Their task is to write an essay after reading Korean literature in English translation. This competition is organized to provide opportunities for Korean Americans/Canadians to learn about Korean culture through literature and to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their cultural heritage. The Foundation funded 15 million KRW for the 7th year competition.
Sponsorship of the 78th International PEN Korean Conference
The Foundation funded the 78th International PEN Korean Conference which
was held from September 9 to 15, hosted by the International PEN Korean
Centre and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and
Kyongju City in North Kyongsang Province. The theme of this year’s conference
was “Literature, Media, and Human Rights,” where Nobel Literature laureates
such as J. M. G. Le Clezio and Wole Soyinka participated together with 300
international writers and 300 Korean writers. For this conference, the Foundation
funded 12 million KRW.
