By Honorary Reporter Nasim Gerami from Iran
Photos = Nasim Gerami

The National Library and Archives of Iran, in collaboration with the Korean Embassy in Tehran and Yonsei University in Seoul, on Aug. 24 hosted the event "Commemoration Yun Dong-ju -- Korean Poet."

Introducing the poet's life and poetry to an Iranian audience, the two-hour program highlighted the growing cultural and literary ties between the two countries. Attending were Iranians, cultural officials and literature enthusiasts like the library's chief Gholamreza Amirkhani; Ambassador Kim Junpyo; Joo Ill Sun, dean of Yonsei's College of Liberal Arts, and vice dean Shin Ji Young; and translator and researcher Saeid Reza Ettehadi.

An event to honor poet Yun Dong-ju on Aug. 24 attracts some 500 Iranian students, officials and literature enthusiasts at the National Library and Archives of Iran in Tehran.

Yun (1917–45), one of Korea's most beloved poets, developed an early interest in literature and later studied at Yonhi College, the ancestor of Yonsei. He wrote poetry at a time when Korea's language and cultural expression faced severe colonial restrictions.

His lone poetry collection "Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poem," published posthumously in 1948, made him one of the most important voices of modern Korean literature for its lyrical reflections on conscience under colonial rule.

At the event, speakers stressed the deep cultural resonance between the two countries. Amirkhani highlighted bilateral cooperation in culture and library science, mentioning his library's opening in 2009 of a Korea corner.

Ambassador to Iran Kim Junpyo on Aug. 24 shows the poetry book he carries everywhere and a memorial to poet Yun Dong-ju located at Yonsei University during a commemorative event for Yun at the National Library and Archives of Iran in Tehran.

Building on this foundation of exchange, Ambassador Kim drew a striking comparison between the literary traditions of both sides, saying the poetry of both Yun and 14th-century Iranian poet Hafez moved the hearts of their compatriots.

Shin explained how Yun kept writing beautiful poetry even when the use of Korean was restricted, sharing the story of how his friend preserved a copy of his poems to ensure the publishing of his works.

Saeid Reza Ettehadi, Iranian translator and researcher, on Aug. 24 introduces his translations of poetry collections from Korean to Farsi at an event to commemorative poet Yun Dong-ju at the National Library and Archives of Iran in Tehran.

The final presentation was by Ettehadi, a translator and researcher who has worked extensively with Korean literature. After introducing his Farsi translation of Yun's work, he echoed Shin's concluding hopes of joint academic research between students and greater opportunities to translate and publish Iranian literary works in Korean.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.