The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI) and the Centro Cultural Coreano are hosting the literary event entitled Stories that cross the night: An encounter with Korean literature, which will take place from 25 to 28 April in Madrid and Salamanca, Featuring three key female voices in contemporary Korean literature: Ae-ran Kim, Suah Bae and Won-pyung Sohn.
This initiative is part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain, and coincides with the celebration of the Book Night of the Community of Madrid. The meeting not only highlights the anniversary of diplomatic relations, but also aims to strengthen the collaboration between Korea and Spain in the literary sector, contributing to the momentum of Korean literature in the Spanish sphere. This action is part of a series of LTI initiatives to increase the international visibility of Korean literature in countries where its influence continues to grow.
In addition to the Korean writers, the event will feature the participation of renowned Spanish authors such as Miguel Garrido de Vega, Antonio Rojano and Isabel Navarro, as well as academics specializing in Korean studies, including Ester Torres and Álvaro Trigo Maldonado. The interaction between literary voices from both countries promises an enriching exchange of perspectives on contemporary literature.
The program will kick off on Friday, April 25 with an opening event at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, where the three authors will share the diversity of voices and the particular appeal of contemporary Korean literature. On Saturday, April 26, the La Mistral bookstore will host a colloquium with Ae-ran Kim, Suah Bae and Won-pyung Sohn, who will delve into the depths of their literary universe, providing an excellent opportunity for the Spanish public to immerse themselves in Korean literature.
Later, on Monday, April 28, the event will move to the University of Salamanca, where the richness and variety of contemporary literature of Korea will be addressed through the works of these three writers, each with a unique style.
Sooyoung Chon, director of the LTI, has highlighted that this event will serve as a fundamental link between Spanish readers and Korean literature, whose presence is being progressively consolidated in Spain. He has also reiterated the institute’s commitment to continue to promote literary activities in various countries where there is a need to increase the visibility of Korean literature.
Also, Jaekwang Shin, director of the Centro Cultural Coreano in Spain, has stressed that Korean literature is still booming, especially after the recent award of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature to Han Kang, and that the Centre will continue to work to strengthen this literary phenomenon in Spain.
