KEY’S FIRST THEMED AFTERWORK ≪PARLONS LITTÉRATURE≫
KEY(Korea Europe & You) is delighted to share that KEY’s first themed afterwork ≪Parlons Littérature≫ was held in Paris at August Debouzy office on November 28th.
We were honored to have Serge Safran (co-founder of éditions Zulma, founder of éditions Serge Safran and first French publisher of Han Kang) and Jean-Claude de Crescenzo (founder of Decrescenzo Éditeurs, director of the Korean literature magazine Keulmadang, and co-translator) lead a compelling discussion on the recent Nobel prize winner Han Kang’s works and the broader context of Korean literature in France. The debate was moderated by Ms. Romane Tomio, a member of KEY.
Key Takeaways:
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While Korean culture has made significant global strides through music, film, and television, literature has often remained on the sidelines of this "Korean soft power wave." However, this is changing as authors like Nobel Prize laureate Han Kang bring Korean literature into the global spotlight.
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Although still relatively underrepresented in France, Korean literature is gaining increasing interest. The discussion highlighted the major waves in the introduction and evolution of Korean literature within the French publishing landscape. Translators and publishers like Jean-Claude de Crescenzo and Serge Safran have played a pivotal role in this development, bringing authors such as Lee Seung-u or Hwang Sok-yong to French audiences.
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The discussion emphasized how literature can provide a deeper understanding of Korea’s culture and identity, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange. By exploring key periods in contemporary Korean literature, the conversation revealed how societal changes have influenced the themes and voices of Korean authors.
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Beyond the stories themselves, the discussion explored the challenges facing the publishing industry, including market trends, the difficulties of translating Korean literature, and the role of subsidies in promoting works on the global stage.
The evening concluded with engaging conversations during the networking session, where participants shared insights and ideas. The conference can be viewed through the following link: https://lnkd.in/gUwb7P4n
Special thanks to August Debouzy and to Pierre Descheemaeker and Basile Ader for hosting this event, to Serge Safran and Jean-Claude de Crescenzo for their thoughtful insights, to Philippe Berterottière, CEO of GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) and board member of KEY, for his welcoming remarks and to Elisabeth Laurin, former Ambassador of France to Korea for her attendance and support to KEY.
