The Space Poetry Reading Society
Literature may often be associated with the printed page, but poetry transcends both medium and time. At its core, poetry is a song, brought to life through sound rather than text. Its meaning emerges through voice, breath and emotion, making every recitation unique. I was reminded of this after attending recently monthly meeting of Space Poetry Reading Society in Seoul, the longest and…
The Space Poetry Reading Society, a distinguished and long-standing poetry recital group in Korea, recently held a meeting in Seoul. This society, one of the longest-running of its kind in the country, draws inspiration from the tradition of poetry readings that flourished in Seoul's tea houses and taverns during the 1970s.
Ku Sang, a renowned poet and educator at the University of Hawaii, is credited with the establishment of this society. While teaching at the University of Hawaii in the early 1970s, he had the opportunity to witness poetry recitations accompanied by live music and commentary at an artist's cafe in San Francisco. This unique blend of performance and literary appreciation deeply impressed Ku Sang. Upon returning to Korea, he decided to bring this innovative concept back to his homeland.
The meeting of the Space Poetry Reading Society in Seoul served as a reminder of the timeless nature of poetry. Far from being confined to the printed page, poetry is a form of art that thrives through sound, emotion, and voice. Each recitation is a unique experience, shaped by the delivery and the audience's interpretation. Thus, this society continues to uphold the tradition of poetry as a living, breathing art form, transcending the boundaries of time and medium.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- The Space Poetry Reading Society koreatimes.co.kr
