Introducing Korean Literature and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement
as Part of the "From Books to the World" Project
High school students from Gwangju participating in the "From Books to the World" North American literary tour, organized by the Gwangju Office of Education, are experiencing the lives and literature of Nobel Prize-winning authors as they travel between the United States and Canada.
According to the Gwangju Office of Education on May 21, this tour, which is part of the "Back to Books, Together with Books" project, is being held in North America from May 12 to 23, with 20 second-year high school students from Gwangju participating.
Students participating in "From Books to the World" presented on Han Kang's The students visited the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, where they explored his writing space and experienced the intersection of literature and reality by imagining Cuban culture and the lives of fishermen, which serve as the backdrop for his representative work, "The Old Man and the Sea." They also visited Little Havana and participated in field activities related to the sea.
In addition, the students engaged in literary discussions with local Korean students at Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Central Florida. They also visited the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, gaining exposure to the educational and cultural heritage of the United States.
In the latter part of the tour, the group traveled to Ontario, Canada, where they explored the literary background of Alice Munro. At the University of Toronto and public libraries, they reviewed her works and critical materials, analyzing her narrative structure and the characteristics of Canadian literature.
Notably, at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Toronto, the students took the initiative to introduce Korean literature, including "The Boy Who Came," "Almond," and "Pachinko." They also gave presentations on the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, continuing exchanges with local students.
During the tour, the students engaged in daily reflection activities and writing, compiling their personal literary journey records into book form. These works are expected to be published, exhibited, and shared at future events.
One participating student said, "It was meaningful to learn about various cultures by viewing the world through literature. I am proud to be able to share the stories of Korean literature and Gwangju with the world." Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, "I hope that through literature, students will broaden their understanding of the world and nurture their own dreams."
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