- CHUNG Bo Ra, PARK Sang Young, BAE Su Ah, and Other Writers to Visit Brisbane from May 10–14 as the Literary “Team Korea”

Korea has been named the “Country of Focus” for the 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) will work with the Korean Cultural Centre Australia, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea to take part in the festival in Brisbane, Australia between May 10 (Wed) and 14 (Sun), to showcase the beauty of Korean literature (K-literature).

 “Team Korea,” a Group of Stellar Writers, Invited to Brisbane for a Wide Range of Programs

The Brisbane Writers Festival is an annual, large-scale literary event held every May in Brisbane, Australia. With more than 160 side events, the festival celebrates its 61st anniversary this year. According to the guest list, which was announced on March 29 (Wed), the festival invited three novelists: CHUNG Bo Ra, author of Cursed Rabbit, which earned her a shortlist for the International Booker Prize 2022; PARK Sang Young, who wrote Love in the Big City and was longlisted for the same prize; and BAE Su Ah, a writer renowned for her unique style and writing. CHUNG was also selected as one of the five writers in the previously released line-up for the 2023 festival, an honor that she shares with Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the Booker Prize 2022. KIM Min Jeong, a poet known for her candid and dynamic verses, was also invited to a poetry reading event, where she will showcase the diverse aspects of K-literature.

Two Korean children’s authors will visit Brisbane for the Word Play program for children and youth. World-renowned illustrator LEE Ji Hyeon[1] and writer LEE Gi Hun[2] will meet young Australian readers for programs designed for children and teenagers, including art activities and discussions with authors. Krys Lee, a Korean-American writer and translator, will also sit with writers from different countries to bring to light the possibilities and limitations of empathy.

 The “Country of Focus” Program to Highlight K-Literature Writers

Since last year, Brisbane Writers Festival has selected countries in the Indo-Pacific region as “Countr[ies] of Focus.” This year, the program selected Korea based on recent stellar achievements in K-literature. The Brisbane Writers Festival is the first literary festival in Australia to specifically focus on Korea. “This year’s Country of Focus, Korea, has been attracting attention for its diverse cultural aspects, one of which is its literature,” said Melissa Bates, the festival’s CEO. She also expressed her expectations for the festival, stating, “The dynamic nature of Korea in literature will make this year’s Country of Focus program all the more interesting.”

An MCST policymaker said, “I hope the invitation to the Brisbane Writers Festival will open up more opportunities to introduce K-literature in a wider range of festivals.” Also the official added, “We will prepare for the festival and take it as an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions with other participants about K-culture in general.”

  * Brisbane Writers Festival website: https://bwf.org.au/