Poet Ko recites poetry in France

Poet Ko Un recites a selection of his verse at a poetry reading held in Nantes, France, on Tuesday. He recited around 30 poems before an audience of about 70 people. / Yonhap

By Kwon Ji-youn

Poet Ko Un recited several of his poems at a poetry reading held in Nantes, France, on Tuesday.

He recited some 30 poems before an audience of about 70 people, and shared with them stories about Korean culture.

“France and Korea became one tonight through this recitation,” Ko said on the night. “Writing makes me extremely happy and my body burns with passion, so much that even a word can become a poem to me.”

Ko’s excitement during the reading was evident and, after reciting the poem titled “Arirang,” he sang the Korean traditional song of the same name for his audience.

“I hope my poems aren’t restricted to one location,” he added. “I hope they are shared throughout the world.”

The event was hosted by the Korean Culture Center in France, as part of the Korean spring festival. The festival started on Monday, and will continue until June 16.

Other events include exhibitions, concerts, conferences and lectures on Korean culture, music, cinema and food.

Ko has been actively exposing his poetry internationally. In March, he was invited to Ca' Foscari University in Venice as an honorary fellow to lecture on Korean culture and, earlier this month, he attended an international poetry conversation in South Africa called “Dancing in Other Words.”

“As long as there exist people and there exists this world, poetry cannot die,” Ko said. “You cry when someone you love dies, and you jump for joy when you’re happy. In these circumstances, you need to recite something, and that’s what poetry is.”