The Arab Cultural Club hosts symposium on Han Kang's novels

The event featured Dr Ghanem Al-Samarrai and writer Hussein Darwish, with Dr Omar Abdel Aziz offering commentary. The evening was moderated by media figure Prince Kamal Faraj.

The first Korean Nobel laureate

Prince Kamal Faraj introduced Han Kang, the first Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Known for her novel The Vegetarian, which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, Han was honoured for her poetic prose and exploration of the fragility of human life.

The accusation of bias in the Nobel Prize

Dr Ghanem Al-Samarrai discussed the ongoing perception of bias in the Nobel Prize, particularly favoring Western culture. He acknowledged the prize's broader openness in recent decades to writers from Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Arab world.

Han Kang’s exploration of pain and the human condition

Dr Al-Samarrai highlighted Han’s unique ability to link spiritual and physical pain, a skill that is evident in her poetic and experimental writing style. He emphasised how her works confront historical shocks while exploring connections between body and soul.

The Arab World’s relationship with the Nobel Prize

Writer Hussein Darwish discussed the limited recognition Arabic literature has received from the Nobel Prize, attributing this to the lack of English translations of Arabic works. He pointed out that the absence of a cultural plan for translation is a significant obstacle.

Humanitarian reasons for Han Kang’s absence from celebrations

Darwish also mentioned that Han Kang had declined invitations to celebrations, including one at the Frankfurt Exhibition, due to the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. He praised the Nobel Prize's global significance and noted that winning it is a recognition of a writer’s ability to convey deep human emotions.

Han Kang’s artistic tools and cultural influence

Dr Omar Abdel Aziz commended Han Kang for her sophisticated portrayal of human feelings, using her cultural background in poetry, drawing, and music. He explained that The Vegetarian exemplifies Han’s ability to blend reality with dreams, capturing the deep emotional conflicts of its protagonist.