[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Try Pressing Good Writing Material Firmly by Hand

Writing by hand stabilizes emotions and promotes balanced development of the left and right brain. It enhances learning effectiveness, concentration, and memory. Copying texts by hand also has great benefits. When learning through writing, reading speed improves, and the ability to generate ideas and acquire information becomes stronger. It supports brain health, helping to prevent dementia as well as digital dementia, which is spreading across all age groups.

Family participating in the writing contest event [Asia Economy DB]

The Korea Institute for the Advancement of Children's Literature, launched last June, is hosting the "1st Republic of Korea Good Children's Poetry Handwriting Contest" for elementary school students and above. The organizers stated, "This is the first and largest handwriting and calligraphy festival in the field of Korean children's literature, beautifully expressing excellent children's poems from our country," adding, "Outstanding works will be selected and exhibited both online and offline, and posted on social network services (SNS) to widely promote them."

Changgeon Lee, Chairman of the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Children's Literature Photo by Korea Institute for the Advancement of Children's Literature

The contest is divided into elementary school and general categories (middle and high school students, adults). Participants are to freely express poems or parts of poems from the designated poetry collections through handwriting, calligraphy, or traditional brush writing. Applications will be accepted from August 1 to October 9, and submissions must be made between October 10 and 20. Winners will be announced on November 7, with awards presented on December 9. Awarded works will be exhibited both online and offline. Each category is further divided into individual and group sections, with cash prizes and certificates or plaques awarded. The designated poetry collections include △ Lee Chang-geon’s △ Jeong Du-ri’s △ Han Sang-soon’s △ Kim Young’s △ Ha In-hye’s . If it is difficult to borrow or purchase the designated poetry collections, participants may use 25 poems excerpted by the organizers.

2022 Kyobo Handwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner

2022 Kyobo Handwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner

Earlier, on June 26, the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Children's Literature held its inaugural general meeting and opening ceremony at Saessakhoe in Jung-gu, Seoul, electing poet Lee Chang-geon as the founding chairman, poet Jeong Du-ri as the founding vice chairman, and CEO Lee Jin-ho as the founding director of the institute. Chairman Lee Chang-geon said, "It is true that Korean children's literature has a low standing compared to its literary and artistic value and its significant influence on children," adding, "We aim to overcome this situation and create a channel for children's literature to communicate with the public." Director Lee Jin-ho stated, "Children's literature must keep pace with the changes of the times to communicate with readers," and "We will plan various programs that bring children's literature closer to the public and allow readers to enjoy it in their daily lives, making it more approachable."

Now in its ninth year, the Kyobo Handwriting Contest received a record-breaking 14,700 entries from May 2 to July 3, an increase of over 50% compared to last year's previous record of 9,340. Kyobo Bookstore explained that the increase was particularly notable among participants in the children’s and youth categories. The final round is currently underway with 300 selected finalists, and winners will be announced on September 22.