Writers from around the globe will converge in Seoul next month for the 2025 Seoul International Writers' Festival, a weeklong literary celebration designed to create meaningful dialogue between authors and their readers. The Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced Monday that this year's festival will run from September 12-17 at Ground Seoul in Jongno District, featuring the intriguing theme "( ) Meets the Eye."
The festival will bring together an impressive lineup of 29 participants, including ten international authors representing eight different countries alongside 19 distinguished Korean writers. According to organizers, this year's unique theme was carefully selected to encourage exploration of deeper truths and hidden meanings in an era overwhelmed by information overload and intense competition for public attention.
"The 2025 Seoul International Writers' Festival aims yet again to re-envision our world from a perspective beyond what the eye can see. We invite you into the beauty of the literature that is created when one set of eyes meets another," the Literature Translation Institute stated in their official announcement.
The festival will open with a compelling conversation between two literary heavyweights: Yan Lianke, the acclaimed Chinese novelist who won the prestigious Franz Kafka Prize and has been shortlisted twice for the International Booker Prize, and Hyun Ki-young, the Jeju-born Korean author whose powerful works have shed light on historical tragedies. Hyun's notable works include the novella "Uncle Suni" and his ambitious three-volume epic "Oh, Jejudo," both of which have drawn international attention to the tragic events of Jeju Island's April 3 Uprising. These two distinguished writers plan to engage in thoughtful reflection on the shared historical wounds and experiences of their respective countries.
The festival features several other noteworthy author pairings that promise engaging discussions. Lee Suzy, who made history in 2022 as the first Korean recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration, will be paired with French picture-book artist Adrien Parlange. Another exciting collaboration will bring together Swedish novelist Jonas Hassen Khemiri and Korean American author Juhea Kim, known for her acclaimed work "Beasts of a Little Land."
The international guest roster includes a diverse array of talented writers from across the globe. From Italy comes Matteo B. Bianchi, while France will be represented by Victoria Mas. The United States will send Sarah Pinsker, Spain will contribute Elvira Navarro, Canada's Patrick deWitt will participate, and Japan will be represented by Yumi Fuzuki, creating a truly global literary gathering.
The Korean author lineup is equally impressive, featuring some of the country's most celebrated contemporary voices. Participants include Kang Ji-young, author of the popular "The Killers Shopping List," and Kim Cho-yeop, a rising star in science fiction literature known for "If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light." The festival will also showcase Seong Hae-na, this year's breakout literary sensation behind "Honmono," alongside Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee Lee Geum-yi and Choi Jin-young, author of the critically acclaimed "Hunger."
Established in 2006, the Seoul International Writers' Festival has grown into a significant global literary event with a dual mission: expanding opportunities for readers to engage meaningfully with literature while fostering international cultural exchange in Seoul. The festival has become an important platform for cross-cultural literary dialogue and has helped introduce Korean literature to international audiences while bringing world-class international authors to Korean readers.
Admission to all festival events is completely free, making literature accessible to everyone interested in participating. Reservations became available starting Monday and can be made through the Literature Translation Institute of Korea's official website as well as through Naver's booking platform, ensuring easy access for all potential attendees.
