French author Sylvie Germain, a towering figure in contemporary French literature, will deliver a special lecture at the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun on October 29, as part of the 2024 "Conversations with World Writers" series. Co-hosted by Kyobo Book Centre and the Daesan Foundation, the event will provide a rare opportunity for Korean readers and literary enthusiasts to engage with one of France’s most celebrated writers.

The theme of Germain’s lecture, "Write, So You May Exist", encapsulates the philosophical depth and emotional resonance that characterize her body of work. During the lecture, she will discuss her unique literary vision, developed through her extensive use of vivid, sensuous language, and will reflect on the themes and ideas that permeate her novels and essays. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Ryu Jae-hwa, who translated Germain’s work Personnages into Korean. The event is sponsored by the Toji Cultural Foundation, Kyobo Life, and the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Cultural Exchange Center.

Born in Châteauroux, France, in 1954, Sylvie Germain studied philosophy and aesthetics at university, eventually embarking on a career at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris. She debuted in the literary world with The Book of Nights in 1985, an acclaimed novel that earned her six literary prizes, catapulting her to literary stardom. Over the years, Germain has published more than 40 works, including Amber Nights, Days of Wrath, The Woman Who Wept on Prague Street, Hidden Lives, and Magnus. Her writing, often described as both poetic and profound, delves into the human condition, exploring themes of suffering, evil, and hope.

Germain's literary achievements have been widely recognized, with numerous prestigious awards, including the Prix Femina, the Lions International Literary Prize, the Prix Jean Giono, and the Goncourt des Lycéens, awarded by French high school students. Her influence in the French literary landscape is undeniable, and in 2024, she will be honored with the Park Kyung-ni Literary Prize, one of South Korea’s most distinguished literary awards.

The Park Kyung-ni Literary Prize Selection Committee praised Germain as a writer who "confronts the harsh realities of human suffering and evil, while persistently pursuing the possibilities of life and hope." They further lauded her for expanding and reinventing the possibilities of the novel genre through her innovative use of language in contemporary contexts.

The upcoming lecture is expected to offer invaluable insights into Germain’s writing process, her reflections on life, and her philosophical approach to literature. As a writer who grapples with existential questions and the human experience, Germain’s works resonate with readers across the globe, and her lecture promises to be intellectually enriching.

Those interested in attending the event can register on the Kyobo Book Centre and Daesan Foundation websites. The event will be conducted in both Korean and French, with simultaneous interpretation available. For those unable to attend in person, the lecture will later be available on the Daesan Foundation’s official YouTube channel.

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com