The Daesan Foundation

Foreword

We are now in the 21st century, which may well be called "the Age of Culture". In our rapidity changing society, culture is considered the most valuable source of creativity. It is also considered the most telling barometer of the quality of our life, since it is nothing but the crystallization of our spiritual and material achievements

In particular, literature, the very foundation of culture, co-existing with humanity since the dawn of civilization, has established itself not only as the most critical indicator of what the human beings have felt and thought while going through the ups and downs of history, but also as the most sensitive apparatus by which human beings have examined themselves and viewed the world. Literature, which is indeed the most creative form of spiritual culture shared by all human beings of the world, has also moved beyond the limits of classical definitions to influence related art forms, such as film, drama, music, and the fine arts. It thus has secured its status as an art form of immensely higher value, capable of multiple cultural effects.

For these reasons, the Daesan Foundation has been making every effort to foster various literary activities in and outside Korea and to invigorate the literary mind that our age demands, thereby promoting the new cultural vision that goes hand in hand with the spirit of our times. It also has been endeavoring to link a vast diversity of literary aspirations in our increasingly pluralistic society, and to promote the globalization of Korean culture.

To realize its dream, the Daesan Foundation has established various grants in addition to awarding the Daesan Literary Awards, which together constitute the most prestigious literary prizes at present offered in Korea. These include grants to Korean writers for the promotion of their creative endeavors; grants for the translation of Korean literature to make it widely known worldwide; grants for the translation of world classics to promote better understanding of world literature; research grants for Korean Studies abroad to develop Korean Studies and promote better understanding of Korean culture; international literary exchanges to broaden our perspective in world literature; the Daesan Literary Awards for Young Writers to encourage fresh talent capable of assuming future leadership in the field of Korean literature; The National Youth Drama Festival to help young people develop their creativity and secure their understanding of the perfoming arts. The Daesan Foundation has also undertaken special events and various activities to foster the promotion and development of literature and culture.

As a cultural foundation established in the public interest to foster and globalize Korean literature and to further international cultural exchanges, the Daesan Foundation is firmly committed to contributing to a better society through a variety of cultural activities in cooperation with all those who love literature. In the new millennium, the Daesan Foundation will augment its efforts to promote the appreciation of culture in an open society.

As in the past, we look forward to your continued support and encouragement.

Chairman SHIN Chang-Jae