A Turning Point with Han Kang's Nobel Literature Prize
Policies Aiming for the Popularization and Globalization of Literature
Establishment of a Provincial Literature Museum and Launch of the Jeonnam Literary Award
Jeonnam Province plans to promote various literary development projects following author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature win. The photo shows Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok watching the Nobel Prize award ceremony for author Han Kang with residents and applauding at the Jangheung Han Seungwon Literature School on December 11, 2024. Photo by Jeonnam Province
Jeollanam-do is pursuing a variety of projects, such as hosting a literature expo and constructing a provincial literature museum, to promote the region's literary value and assets to the world and foster them as a key driver of cultural tourism, inspired by author Han Kang's achievement as the first Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Following Han Kang's historic accomplishment, which set a new milestone in Korean literary history, Jeollanam-do is currently conducting a study to establish a basic plan for literary promotion. The main initiatives include ▲hosting the Jeollanam-do Literature Expo ▲constructing a provincial literature museum ▲compiling a regional literary history ▲and establishing the Jeonnam Literary Award. These projects aim to popularize literature and globalize regional literature, with the expectation of further enhancing the value of local literary heritage.
Starting in 2025, Jeollanam-do plans to regularly host the 'Jeollanam-do Literature Expo.' The expo is designed as a venue where writers from the region, as well as figures from the domestic and international literary communities, can gather to interact and collaborate.
The construction of a provincial literature museum is also one of the core projects for the promotion of Jeonnam literature. The museum will preserve and exhibit works and records of writers from Jeonnam, and operate various educational programs to raise awareness of the value of regional literature among youth and literature enthusiasts.
The province is also working on systematically organizing and compiling the regional literary history. This effort is expected to establish the identity of Jeonnam literature and serve as an important opportunity to highlight Jeonnam's position and contributions within Korean literary history.
Jeollanam-do is also considering the establishment of the 'Jeonnam Literary Award' to support the creative activities of local writers and discover new talent, thereby expanding the literary base. In addition to literary promotion, the province will actively pursue policies to spread a culture of reading. Other initiatives include 'Reading the Book of the Year Together with Residents' and the 'Reading King Contest' to enhance residents' cultural literacy and foster a 'Reading Jeonnam.'
Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, stated, "Going forward, Jeollanam-do will build a sustainable development model that integrates literature, art, and tourism, strengthen regional identity, and promote the literary value of Jeonnam to readers worldwide. The resonance of Han Kang's award has provided great inspiration for Jeollanam-do's journey toward becoming a global literary hub."
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