Kim Ae-ran, Bae Su-a, Son Won-pyeong to Introduce Korean Literature Directly in Spain

Korean Literature Event
to Be Held in Spain April 25-28
by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is collaborating with the Korean Cultural Center in Spain to hold a Korean literature event titled "Stories Crossing the Night: Encountering Korean Literature" in Madrid and Salamanca, Spain, from April 25 to 28.

Poster for the Korean Literature event "Stories Crossing the Night: Encountering Korean Literature" held in Spain by the Korean Literature Translation Institute. Provided by the Korean Literature Translation Institute

Each year, the Institute selects countries where awareness of Korean literature needs to be strengthened and holds Korean literature events. This year, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Spain was chosen as the target country.

This year’s event will feature prominent Korean authors Kim Ae-ran, Bae Su-a, and Son Won-pyung. They will participate in the opening event at the Madrid Arts Center on the 25th, as well as events at La Mistral bookstore on the 26th and the University of Salamanca on the 28th, introducing Korean literature.

All three authors have had their works translated and published in Spain this year. In February, Kim Ae-ran presented "Contrails," a collection of eight short stories, locally. This is her third Spanish translation following "Run, Daddy, Run" (2018) and "Outside is Summer" (2023). Bae Su-a published "An Unknown Night and Day" (2023) and started releasing "Cheolsu" in January. Son Won-pyung released "Almond" (2020), "Tube" (2023), and earlier this year published "The Counterattack of Thirty" locally.

Jeon Su-yong, president of the Institute, stated, “This event will provide an opportunity for Korean literature, which has been continuously introduced, to connect more deeply with Spanish readers,” adding, “The Institute plans to continue organizing international events targeting countries where awareness of Korean literature needs to be enhanced.”