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[Writer's Notes] Korean Literature in Spain scrap
by Antonio Colinas
November 14, 2014
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Korean literature has been gaining increasing visibility in Spain in recent years. To my understanding, this can be attributed to three factors: the presence and hard work of the Korea Literature Translation Institute; the efforts made by the Spanish editorial Verbum, directed since 1990 by Pío Serrano, a champion of Korean literature; and, above all, the frequent visits to my country and others in Europe (Italy and Germany) made by the Korean poet Ko Un. Ko has visited universities in Spain, such as those in Salamanca and Málaga (the work of Professor Kim Hye-jeoung at the University of Salamanca, in particular, has been invaluable in bringing Korean language and literature to a wider audience.) The University of Salamanca is home to the oldest and perhaps most prestigious library in Spain. It is all the more delightful to witness Professor Kim’s dedication in urging other professors and writers from Korea to share their most valuable cultural assets at that noble institution.
The name Ko Un brings to mind his translated works that have been well received by Spanish poets. Among the most noteworthy would be the anthology of his poetry, Fuente en Llamas (published by Linteo) and the 64 poems of Diez Mil Vidas translated by Professor Kim Un-kyung of Seoul National University. Nor can we forget the special edition of Ko Un’s work that appeared under the title of Cierta Alegría (published by El Gato Gris), illustrated by the poet himself, or his 108 Poemas Zen. The poet’s visits to Spain have been exceptionally well-covered by the media. Among these were two long interviews I did with the author for the magazine of the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid and for El Cultural, a magazine published by the daily El Mundo. Ko Un has also given readings at the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid, and at this cultural center, the liveliest among those in the capital of Spain.
I have recently had the honor of introducing the works of three other Korean writers visiting Spain: Kim Hoon, Kim Kwang-kyu, and Yi In-seong. The works of these authors cannot be discussed without mentioning the collection of Korean literature published by that prestigious house, Trotta. Among others, Trotta has published such works as Kim Hoon’s El Canto de la Espada and Park Wansuh’s Aquella Montaña tan Lejana, the latter translated by Kim Hye-jeoung and Javier Martín, with a prologue by myself. Other works in this notable collection include Yi Chong-Jun’s Canto del Oeste Coreano. Besides the works of these authors, a notable selection of Korean poetry has been published by Verbum. This includes the work of such poets as Kim Soo-bok, whose work is now being translated (this article is turning into a list of names) and poets who have already been translated into Spanish: Kim Chunsu, Yun Tong-ju, Cheon Sang-byeong, Seo Jeongju, Yi Sang, Kim Nam Jo, Oh Sae-young, and Han Yong-un.
In conclusion, my thoughts turn toward this last poet in particular, better known in Spain by his pen name Manhae and for his El Silencio de Mi Amor. It is striking to note the similarities between this poet, a monk, and the Spanish mystic poet Juan de la Cruz, author of the beautiful Spiritual Canticle. The Korean poet wrote in the 20th century, the Spaniard in the 16th, and yet they are alike in many ways: monks and poets, fighters, a patriot in the case of Manhae, and a reformer of his religious order in that of St. Juan. The likeness is also apparent in their poetry: lyricism, the theme of love and the beloved, a delicate eroticism, spirituality, pastoral scenes, and the interpretation of the realistic and mystical in both texts.
It would take a much longer article than this one to discuss my subject in full. I would therefore like to sum up my love for Korea and Korean literature by quoting an idea from my collection of essays, Cerca de la Montaña Kumgang (Published by Amarú, Salamanca). In the book I discuss the intensity of the attraction that Korea, and that symbol of the sacred mountain, holds for this Spanish poet. Korean culture in Spain is like the heart of Mt. Keumgang, a hope for the future. 
by Antonio Colinas
Writer 필자 소개
Antonio Colinas
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