South Korea is advocating for enhanced literary collaboration with Nigeria, a call made by South Korean writer Sujin Lim during the 11th edition of Kongi’s Harvest. The event, organized by Arojah Royal Theatre (ART), the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), and the Korea Culture Center (KCCN) to honor Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, took place in Abuja.
Represented by reporter Haley Suh in a Zoom session, Lim highlighted Soyinka’s global recognition as a leading figure in African modern literature, a sentiment echoed in Korean media. However, she noted that Soyinka is primarily known in Korea for his plays and essays, with only three of his works, including *The Interpreters* and *Of Africa*, gaining popularity. Lim attributed this limited exposure to language barriers, unfamiliarity with African themes and cultural expressions, and the complex nature of Soyinka’s writing, which Korean readers often find challenging.
Lim emphasized that the global celebration of Soyinka presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen literary ties between Nigeria and South Korea. She suggested fostering collaboration across all aspects of literature, from translation and publishing to digital platforms and in-person cultural events like book fairs and exhibitions.
She proposed leveraging South Korea’s 45 million tech-savvy YouTube and social media users to create accessible and engaging content about both Korean and Nigerian literature. This strategy could attract a new generation of readers and expand interest in both cultures.
Lim also advocated for collaborative writing projects where authors from both countries explore shared themes and motifs online. Additionally, she suggested creating online creative projects incorporating art, animation, or interactive narratives that could evolve into physical exhibitions and cultural center displays, increasing the visibility of Nigerian literature in Korea and vice versa.
“We all recognize the profound impact of Professor Soyinka’s works. They resonate across cultures and certainly have appeal in Korea. Both our cultures would benefit from further literary and cultural exchanges as we celebrate this literary giant’s 90th birthday,” Lim concluded. In response, Jerry Adesewo, Artistic Director of ART, assured that Nigerian writers are committed to collaborating with their Korean counterparts to explore and develop opportunities for literary partnership.
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