Wole Soyinka At 90: Korea Calls For Literary Collaborations With Nigeria

South Korea has called for the strengthening of literary collaborations with Nigeria. The call came from South Korean writer, Sujin Lim, at the 11thedition of Kongi’s Harvest organised by the Arojah Royal Theatre (ART), Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) and Korea Culture Center (KCCN) in commemoration of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, in Abuja.

Lim, represented by reporter Haley Suh, in a zoom session at the event, said Soyinka is identified as a giant of African modern literature globally as well in Korean media. However, he is only known as a playwright and for his essays; with only three of his works including The Interpreters and Of Africa popular in Korea.

She attributed the limited availability of Soyinka’s work in Korea to barriers in language, Koreans non-familiarity with the rich African themes and cultural expression and the density of his works which Korean readers find difficult to comprehend at first read.

The global celebration of Professor Soyinka, Lim said, is an opportunity to strengthen literary collaboration between Nigeria and South Korea in all aspects of literary, translation and publishing industry, starting from the digital platform to in-person cultural events like book fairs and exhibitions.

Lim proposed that both countries can leverage on South Korea’s 45 million YouTube and social media savvy youths to make accessible, snippets and easily digestible content on both Korean and Nigerian authors, literature on social media platforms to attract a new generation of readership and potential readers.

Collaborative and cross-cultural writing projects where writers from both countries can find common grounds and motifs to write about online, she said, should be encouraged; while online creative projects that incorporate illustrative art, animation or interactive narratives that can evolve into in-person exhibition and in cultural centers can create more visibility for Nigerian writers and literature in Korea and vice versa.

“We all know how profound and lifechanging Professor Soyinka’s works are. And we have all been touched by his works, myself included. The themes that are pervasive in his books go across cultures.

They definitely have an appeal in Korea. But both our cultures can benefit from further cultural and literary exchanges as we celebrate the 90th birthday of this giant in literature,” concluded Lim.

Responding to the call, the artistic director, ART, Jerry Adesewo assured that Nigerian writers will work with its Korean counterpart to harness opportunities for literary collaboration between both nations.