By Jeon Han and Sohn JiAe
Photos = Jeon Han
Video = Kim Sunjoo
A special event is underway in Seoul to spotlight written works about winter and winter leisure activities in former and current Winter Olympic hosts, like France or Korea, and also in future Winter Olympic hosts, like China.
Winter’s Literary Journey at the National Hangeul Museum brings to light the Olympic season of winter in 13 countries around the world. The exhibition is held in honor of the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The literary exhibit welcomes museum-goers with the introduction of winter enshrined in literary works from France, the first Winter Olympic host, followed by children’s literature that sends a message of unity and hope for the future.
The total of 454 works on exhibit here include European literature set in the Alps and North European winter stories. Among the books on display are some written by Korean, Japanese and Chinese authors that have snow-like traditional Hanji mulberry paper decorative bindings and covers.
A visitor examines some Japanese literature about winter, at the ongoing Winter’s Literary Journey exhibition at the National Hangeul Museum on Jan. 30.
A total of 53 works by lesser-known poets are showcased here as well, such as Austria’s Georg Trakl (1887-1914) and Canada’s Archibald Lampman (1861-1899).
Books recommended by the Chinese, German, Swiss, Norwegian, Canadian, Italian and Austrian embassies in Korea are also available.
For example, there’s the Swiss novel “Heidi” (1881) by Johanna Spyri (1827-1901), the Chinese novel “The Field of Life and Death” (1941) by Xiao Hong (1911-1942) and “The Snowman” (2007), a mystery by Norwegian author Jo Nesbo.
The Winter’s Literary Journey exhibition, underway at the National Hangeul Museum, has a special booth decorated like a fireplace, showcasing books about winter written by North American authors.
“As in the official Olympic slogan, ‘Passion. Connected,’ the exhibition connects winter-themed literature from the previous 13 Winter Olympic host countries,” said curator Kim Min-ji. “You can find here the flow and imagery of winter literature in each country.”
The exhibition is free and runs until March 18 when the Paralympic Games kick off.
hanjeon@korea.kr
