By Kim se-jeong
Staff Reporter
An exhibition honoring literary figures Karel Capek (1890-1938) and Jaroslav Seifert (1901-1986) of the Czech Republic opened Tuesday at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center (KFCC) in central Seoul.
Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa, Jr., hosted the exhibition with the dual titles, "All the Beauties of the World" and "Man Who Gave Name to Robots," with the hope of introducing Korean audiences to his nation's greatest writers.
The first literary figure, "Poet of the Nation" Seifert, represents the Czech Republic as its first and only recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, which he was awarded in 1984 for his autobiographical All the Beauties of the World.
Seifert is often recognized as the leading figure of Czechoslovakian artistic avant-garde with much influence in expanding freedom of expression.
The writer was highly involved in social and political affairs as chairman of the Czechoslovak Writer's Union.
One of his most famous poems, "Put Out the Lights," presents a powerful warning of how Nazi policies threatened the peace of Prague.
The second was journalist and playwright Capek, whose popular work influenced the politics of his country during the Nazi regime.
"I would like the world, and Korea, to see more of Capek, who I believe is the best Czech writer of all time," said Ambassador Olsa.
In addition to his political activism, Capek is renowned for introducing the world to the term "Robot" in his hit play, "Rossum's Universal Robots."
In honor of his contributions to science-fiction literature, the exhibition displayed a number of robots provided by the Korean robotics company, Mostitech, to illustrate Capek's futuristic ideas.
Rossum's Universal Robots cautioned audiences about the effects of Western technology through a story in which robots take over the human population.
Mostitech CEO Park Sang-hoon, in turn, believes that "Robots are the industry of the future."
The company currently develops multi-functional robots to be used for such purposes as accessing music and news through the Internet and serving as home security.
Before Capek's play was premiered on stage in 1921, such developments were unthinkable.
"I'm personally reminded of the genius of Capek because he was able to see 100 years into the future," said Kart-Heinz May, husband of Ambassador of El Salvador Zoila, observing the robots.
The exhibition attracted a number of ambassadors, many of whom are part of the Seoul Literary Society.
According to Olsa, society members enjoy learning about Korean literature in monthly lectures hosted by Korean writers.
The group also works to share the literary cultures of their respective nations with one another.
"I welcome the initiative of the Czech Embassy to bring Czech culture closer to the Korean people," said Slovakian Ambassador Pavel Hrmo, whose nation shares pride in the showcased writers.
Hrmo recalled growing up reading Capek's European travel logs, and said he hopes others around the world can learn more about the continent through his work.
"It's good to bring European writers closer to the Korean audience," he said.
Capek translator Kim Kyu-chin, vice president and professor of Czech Literature at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), hopes that continued efforts such as the exhibition will help enhance good relations between Korea and the Czech Republic.
The strong Czech program at HUFS was noted as a force already developing Korea-Czech relations through the study of literature.
According to Kim, over 100 students at the university are currently Czech or Slovakia majors.
"I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to Amb. Olsa for providing us the chance to appreciate Czech literature," said KFCC Director Yoon Keum-jin who discussed the importance of art, music, lifestyle and literature and cultural exchange.
Yoon works with embassies and other organizations to host such exhibitions year-round to advocate artistic exploration.
The exhibition will be held until March 12 at the KFCC, located in the JoongAng Ilbo Building.
There is no charge for admission.
Further efforts to develop awareness of the Czech Republic's artistic culture are being made at Seoul National University's Museum of Art.
The work of young Czech artists honored with the prestigious Jindrich Chalupecky Award will be showcased from Feb. 25 to May. 24.
Monica Park contributed to the story. She can be reached at mp1212@hotmail.com