The Korean Cultural Center in Brazil hosted an award ceremony for the Korean Literature Review Contest on October 6, celebrating Korean literature through a comprehensive event that brought together students, researchers, and literature enthusiasts. The ceremony, organized in partnership with the School of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences at the University of São Paulo and supported by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, featured a special roundtable discussion focusing on the works of Nobel Prize-winning Korean author Han Kang.
The event's centerpiece was a thoughtful roundtable discussion led by a distinguished panel of judges, including poet Edson Cruz, professor of Asian History Fabiano Bracht, and professor of Korean Studies Yun Jung Im. The conversation was expertly moderated by Ji Yun Kim, a professor and translator who rendered Han Kang's "Human Acts" into Brazilian Portuguese. Each panelist contributed unique perspectives to the literary discussion, with Yun Jung Im exploring the historical aspects of Korea reflected in the contest submissions, while Edson Cruz highlighted the distinctive nature of Han Kang's literary style and the challenge of categorizing her work within traditional genres.
Fabiano Bracht provided valuable insights into the historical context of resistance that fundamentally shapes Han Kang's narratives, adding depth to the audience's understanding of her literary themes. The contest results recognized exceptional analytical work by Brazilian readers, with first place awarded to Vítor Amaral Córdoba for his insightful review titled "Atos Humanos: Um Pagode de Ciclos" (Human Acts: A Cycle of Layers). Second place was shared between Caroline Moreno Botelho Pereira, who made the journey from Bahia specifically to attend the ceremony in person, and Luana Garcia Ibanes Morins.
Third place honors were distributed among three recipients: Suzana do Nascimento Veiga, Sofia Schwabacher, and Flavia Barbosa Lima, all recognized for their thoughtful analyses examining collective memory and the representation of women in Han Kang's literary works. In his acceptance remarks, first-place winner Vítor Amaral Córdoba emphasized the crucial role of the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil in making Korean literature and culture freely accessible to the Brazilian public, drawing meaningful parallels between Brazil and Korea's shared historical experiences of dictatorship and resistance.
Beyond the formal awards ceremony, the event featured interactive elements designed to engage all attendees. More than 20 participants took part in a Korea-themed quiz competition, with over 20 books distributed as prizes to encourage continued exploration of Korean culture and literature. The program also included a traditional coffee break featuring authentic Chuseok treats, providing attendees with a taste of Korean holiday traditions while fostering informal cultural exchange.
The event concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session that encouraged lively dialogue between audience members and the expert panel of judges, creating opportunities for deeper discussion about Korean literature's themes and cultural significance. Through this comprehensive celebration of Korean literature, the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil demonstrated its ongoing commitment to promoting contemporary Korean literary works while creating meaningful spaces for cultural reflection, exchange, and connection between Brazilian readers and Korean artistic expression.
