Chinese artisan literature has opened new possibilities for literary and publishing exchanges between Korea and China through its engagement with Korean readers.
On June 26, a sharing event titled 'Intangible Cultural Heritage in Literature' was held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. During the event, Chinese authors Nan Xiang and Chen Kangtai introduced their representative works, 'The Years Etched in the Fingertips' (《手上春秋》) and 'The Soul of Art Shaped by Hand' (《手上风华》), discussing the creative backgrounds that intertwine traditional Chinese artisan culture with modern craftsmanship.
About 30 participants, including researchers from domestic universities and graduate students majoring in Chinese literature, attended the event. The program featured not only the introduction of the works and academic discussions but also the signing of a Korean rights contract and the donation of books, marking a significant achievement in publishing collaboration.
'The Years Etched in the Fingertips' is a nonfiction work based on three years of field research by Nan Xiang, capturing the lives and skills of 15 traditional Chinese artisans. It has been recognized with awards such as the Excellent Publication Award and 'Good Books in China.'
'The Soul of Art Shaped by Hand' was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, highlighting artisans in advanced industries such as nuclear power, precision manufacturing, and digital content, reflecting the coexistence of tradition and innovation in Chinese craftsmanship.
Nan Xiang stated, 'The lives of artisans who have preserved their skills are worth documenting,' adding that 'nonfiction captures truth and the warmth of humanity, an area that artificial intelligence cannot replace.'
Chen Kangtai remarked, 'The story of one artisan reflects the broader trends in China's industrial and cultural development.'
During the event, a rights contract for the Korean edition of 'The Soul of Art Shaped by Hand' was signed with Korea Folk Village Publishing, and Nan Xiang donated his works to the library of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
Participants expressed hope that this exchange would enhance understanding of Chinese intangible cultural heritage and artisan culture while advancing literary and publishing cooperation between Korea and China.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.