Latest news with #Jean-BaptisteAndrea
Korea Herald
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Writing each story as if it were his last
Goncourt-winning author Jean-Baptiste Andrea speaks about writing, recognition and resistance For writer Jean-Baptiste Andrea, winning literary awards -- including the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 2023 -- felt like finally becoming "visible." "I've wanted to be a writer since I was 9 years old. But we live in a world that doesn't exactly encourage anyone to become a novelist. I was lucky to succeed, but before that, I was invisible. Because until we gain recognition, we are, in a sense, transparent," said Andrea at a press conference held at the French Embassy in Seoul on Monday. The winner of the 2023 Prix Goncourt was in Seoul ahead of Tuesday's Goncourt Choice of Korea. The initiative, jointly organized by the French Embassy and the Academie Goncourt, invites students studying French at high schools, universities and language institutes to read and debate the final four Goncourt Prize shortlisted novels over five months before selecting a winner by majority vote. Andrea, who turned to writing novels after a long career as a screenwriter, likened his literary success to a transformation from obscurity to acknowledgment. "Imagine a homeless man sitting on a park bench -- he is almost invisible. But then he wins the lottery and becomes a billionaire. Suddenly, his presence carries weight. That's how it felt after winning the Goncourt Prize. I had always been here, but only after recognition did people start to notice," he said. "I think society should support artists, even when they are still homeless and sitting on a bench." Since his debut as a novelist, Andrea has quickly risen to prominence, solidifying his status as one of France's most compelling literary voices, winning 19 major literary awards in the country, including the Best French Debut Novel and the Students Femina for his debut novel 'My Queen' (2017) and the Grand Prix RTL-Lire for his third novel 'Devils and Saints' (2021). With his fourth novel, 'Watching Over Her' (2023), a sweeping saga set against the backdrop of Italy's fascist era, Andrea won the Goncourt Prize. Spanning several decades of 20th-century Italy, "Watching Over Her" follows Michelangelo "Mimo" Vitaliani, a poor sculptor, and his tumultuous relationship with Viola Orsini, the daughter of an aristocratic family. The novel explores Italy's political history and class structures from World War I to the 1980s, depicting the rise of fascism as a gradual phenomenon of everyday life, also tackling themes of feminism, art and patronage. "The reason it was important for me to talk about fascism was because my book is about resistance against dictatorship, fear and terror. The protagonist (Mimo) is in constant struggle with society, family and himself," Andrea said. "Like any good work of fiction, my novel speaks to our present era. We are seeing authoritarian regimes and fascist ideologies resurface today. I wanted to emphasize that these things don't happen by accident. I wanted to say that there is no such thing as 'no choice.'" Andrea said that all the characters in his work could be seen as his alter ego -- each struggling for recognition in a society that doubts itself, while also grappling with their own self-doubt. But he described his overarching theme as: "I am convinced that, in the end, human civilization and the human spirit will prevail." The 53-year-old writer also described storytelling as a universal bridge between cultures. "French and Korean cultures are vastly different, but the fact that my work can be translated and read here means we are not so different after all," said Andrea. "My characters, like all of us, have dreams, ambitions, problems and laughs. I hope that readers see a reflection of themselves in my stories." While a film adaptation of 'Watching Over Her' is underway, Andrea said he doesn't have plans for his next novel. "I don't want to repeat stories I've already told. And I don't have the desire to write next story every time I write. I think it's because I always write each story as if it were my last." While in Korea, Andrea was scheduled to meet with readers at Seoul National University on Monday, Yonsei University on Tuesday and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on Wednesday.
Korea Herald
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korea-France cultural exchange expands ahead of 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year
Greater focus on residency programs aimed at collaboration between artists Ahead of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations in 2026, the French Embassy in South Korea is offering a wide range of cultural events to deepen the two countries' cultural ties. Spanning literature, music, arts and digital entertainment, each month in 2025 will offer unique opportunities for engagement. The focus will be on exchanges among artists and creators from both countries, providing a chance to share cultural values and foster the creation of new cultural expressions, Pierre Morcos, counselor for culture, science, and education at the French Embassy in Korea, told reporters during a press conference on Thursday. This effort is highlighted by residency programs in the webtoon, K-pop, arts and literature fields. The Webtoon Academy Residency Program, running from March to April, will bring three award-winning webtoon artists to Suncheon for a two-month residency, where they will create original works in collaboration with local studios. On June 1, the Villa Busan program will announce its second cohort of resident artists. Established through a partnership between Busan and Cannes, Villa Busan serves as a space for exchange among visual artists and professionals. Also in June, selected artists will participate in a three-month residency at Hongti Art Center. From March 24 to 30, the K-pop Atelier will take place at JYP Entertainment Studio, in collaboration with the French National Music Center, JYP Publishing, Amplified and Reway Music & Media. Four French composers will participate in this K-pop songwriting camp, working together to create new K-pop hits. From March 22 to 26, the third edition of the Goncourt Prize -- Korea program will bring together 161 students learning French from 25 educational institutions across Korea. Jean-Baptiste Andrea, the 2023 Goncourt Prize winner for "Veiller sur elle (Taking Care of Her)," will visit Korea as part of the program. South Korea is the second most significant country for French literature after China, with more than 500 French books translated each year, according to Morcos. The French Embassy has also curated cultural events, designating special themes for each month. February will focus on literature, highlighted by the Night of Reading event on Friday. This event will include French dictation, children's workshops, readings, music performances and film screenings. March, dedicated to Francophonie, will see Korean-French author Chai Seh-lynn on a literary tour, engaging with audiences on topics such as identity, cultural heritage and storytelling at Alliance Francaise centers and universities in Korea. Also in March, pianist Olivier de Spiegeleir will tour Incheon, Daejeon, Busan and Hannam University, performing French-language-related piano pieces, accompanied by commentary. Additionally, university students across Korea will participate in the Francomedia Video Contest, crafting humorous short films centered on French language use in daily life. French Film Week will run April 4-13 and the French National Orchestra's Korean tour will take place April 29 to May 2. The exhibition "Oceania: Art of the Pacific," showcasing over 180 masterpieces of Pacific art from the Musee du quai Branly -- Jacques Chirac, will open at the National Museum of Korea. In June, the Orchestre de Paris will perform a series of concerts with Korean pianist Lim Yunchan. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel's birth, the orchestra will present five concerts in Seoul, featuring French musical masterpieces. French Music Festival, June 1422, meanwhile, will feature over 20 performances across the country. 'In France, there is a strong fascination with all aspects of Korean culture, along with a strong desire for cultural exchange. France is eager to learn about Korea's content creation model and hopes to expand cultural exchanges," Morcos said, adding "The popularity of France in Korea is also evident, making the cultural exchange truly mutual.' Events for the rest of 2025 will be announced later, according to the embassy.
