Ten Korean authors chosen to visit around the 2014 London Book Fair

London Book Fair logoAccording to the the London Book Fair website, “The British Council, in partnership with The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) is delighted to announce the Korea Market Focus Cultural Programme for The London Book Fair 2014. This year’s Cultural Programme involves ten of Korea’s most prominent and exciting writers who represent the very best of the country’s contemporary literature. The London Book Fair Cultural Programme will provide a valuable opportunity for UK audiences and publishers to meet and interact with Korean writers, who will in turn be able to engage with their UK counterparts in front of an international literary audience.”

The authors are a ‘who’s who’ of modern (living^^) Korean authors:

NOVELISTS
• Hwang Sok-Yong – author of the controversial and awesome The Guest.

• Yi Mun-yol – politically controversial, but an awesome author of many translated works including Our Twisted Hero and Twofold Song.

• Lee Seung-U  –  author of The Reverse Side of Life

• Kim In-suk – author of the excellent The Long Road and Stab.

• Shin Kyung-sook – LOL.. I think we all know this one? Author of Please Look after Mom and The Place Where the Harmonium Was.

• Kim Young-ha – author of the critically acclaimed I Have the Right to Destroy Myself, and Your Republic is Calling You.

• Han Kang – author of Vegetarian and also about to publish a book of poetry

• Hwang Sun-mi (also a Market Focus Author of the Day- author of the children’s story The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly.

POET
• Kim Hyesoon  – feminist author of the collection All the Garbage of the World, Unite and Mommy Must Be A Fountain Of Feathers.

WEBTOON ARTIST
• Yun Tae-ho – who I know very little about^^

The site explains:

Public events and readings will also be taking place at important partner venues throughout London and across the UK. These will include events at Asia House, British Library, Cambridge Literary Festival, Edinburgh City Libraries, Korean Cultural Centre, London Review Bookshop and Wales Literature Exchange amongst others. The full programme of events will be announced on the British Council Literature website in early February.

And includes a quote from Kim Seong-Kon, President of theLiterature Translation Institute of Korea:

The eyes of the world are upon the 2014 London Book Fair as the event will provide a collegiate place where different cultures and books from all over the world will meet in good will. The event will also play an important role in promoting cultural understanding between Korea and the UK.