2024 Seoul International Writers Festival: Meet Popular Authors from Around the World

The Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism (Minister Yoo In-chon) in collaboration with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (Director Jeon Su-yong) will host the 2024 Seoul International Writers Festival under the theme “Particles and Waves” from Friday September 6 to Wednesday September 11 at the JCC Art Center in Jongno-gu Seoul. Since its inception in 2006 the Seoul International Writers Festival has served as a platform for dialogue between writers and readers.

Exploring the Essence of Humanity and Life Through Narratives of Contradiction

This year’s theme Particles and Waves reflects how in classical mechanics the particle-like and wave-like properties of light were seen as contradictory but in modern quantum mechanics these properties are viewed as coexisting. Similarly the festival will explore the value of literature as a way to revisit and embrace the coexistence of seemingly opposing or conflicting aspects of life.

The festival kicks off on September 6 with keynote lectures from authors Jeong Bo-ra (known for Cursed Bunny) and Claudia Piñeiro (known for Elena Knows). Through September 11 attendees can enjoy a variety of author dialogues such as “Repetition Record and Imprint” (featuring Lee Ki-ho and Zülfü Livaneli) and “Love to Death” (featuring Lee Hee-joo and Rin Usami). Discussions will also take place on topics like “The Temperature of Humor” (Kim Ki-tae Jung Young-su Fredrik Backman) “Stillness and Stirring” (Kim Geun Sean Hwang Yoo-won) and “The World of Dark Nights” (Son Bo-mi Lee Jang-wook Chen Xuehong). During these conversations the authors will explore how examining contradictions in their works and experiences brings them closer to the essence of human life.

Interdisciplinary Performances Exhibitions and Interactive Stages to Engage Audiences

In addition to literary discussions the festival will offer a range of performances exhibitions and interactive stages for attendees to enjoy. Cellist Hong Jin-ho and pianist Choi Moon-seok will perform a classical music concert while throughout the festival (Sept. 6-11) visitors to the JCC Art Center can experience the authors’ works as media art in a special exhibition.

The festival also incorporates programs that combine literature with other fields offering audiences a diverse experience. On September 8 author Son Bo-mi and musical actor Kim Seong-hyun will lead a reading of key passages from a novel with audience participation. On September 9 poet Hwang Yoo-won and singer Lee Lang will perform a song they composed together based on poetry.

All programs at the Seoul International Writers Festival are free of charge with pre-registration through the official website (www.siwf.or.kr).

Shin Eun-hyang Director of Arts Policy at the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism remarked This September starting with the Seoul International Writers Festival a series of literary festivals will follow including Literature Week (Sept. 27 – Oct. 1) and the National Museum of Korean Literature’s Special Exhibition at Cheong Wa Dae (Sept. 28 – Nov. 24). We hope that these festivals will help people discover the value of literature and increase their interest in it.

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