By Kim Se-jeong
Released last Thursday, “Prague, a City Beloved by Writers” (literal translation of its Korean title) is multi-functional.
The small but comprehensive book contains not only a collection of 14 different Czech short stories translated into Korean, but also includes a map of Prague and some historical background.
For those who has visited or plans to visit, the book is easy to appreciate.
Poet Ko Un while attending the Czech Information Center in Seoul to congratulate the launching of the book said reading it was like being in Prague without actually getting on a plane and flying there.
Jaroslav Olsa, Jr., the Czech ambassador to Korea, said since not so many people speak the Czech language, Czech literature is often neglected.
But, the 300-page book would give Korean readers the opportunity to take a glimpse into the Czech literary world.
“This (literary exchange) will make a long-lasting impact,” the diplomat said.
Ambassador Olsa played a role in the making.
He sent out letters to five author out of 14, getting permission for publication.
“Without his help, this book would not have been possible,” said Lim Hyung-uk, president of the publishing company Happyreading Books, during the ceremony.
Literature is a public diplomacy tool for Olsa, who is also a writer himself.
He used to run a publishing company in the 1990s and started a still existing literary magazine.
Coming here is coming here more than once Staying here is staying here longer than one year Cities of the world are swelling day after day. This city cannot be so. The flower on the Earth that blooms by itself over a long period of time The place where hatred returns to the previous state of hatred. My Prague!
For the last two years in Korea, he has helped to see nearly 15 volumes of Korean comic books published in the Czech language.
The poet Ko sprinkled his exuberance by reciting a spontaneously-written poem titled “My Prague.”
He will soon travel to Prague to attend a book fair with his second book in Czech translation.