The Congress of the International Comparative Literature Association (ICLA) is the Olympics of literature. Held triennially, this monumental event brings together over 1,000 academics and writers from more than thirty different nations and provides a platform for lively exchange about literary studies, creative writing, and pedagogy. Transcending the national, linguistic, theoretical, and geographical boundaries which, more often than not, compartmentalize literature and its studies, the ICLA Congress also has an interdisciplinary approach to literature through an inclusive and extensive consideration of philosophy, politics, economy, science, technology, environment, and culture as they relate to literature.

The 18th Congress was held in the summer of 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Korea will be hosting the 19th Congress in Seoul. Following the 13th Congress, held in Tokyo, Japan almost two decades ago, this is only the third ICLA Congress to be held in Asia. Korea was selected as the host country for the 19th Congress; now, the focus lies in how successfully Korea can organize such a significant event, which will be held in Seoul, from August 15 to 21, 2010.

I am often asked to explicate what “comparative literature” is; I believe the recent interest in this field is apt in this era of multiculturalism and transnationalism, which calls for a continuing dialogue among diverse nations, cultures, and their literatures, which foregrounds the universality that ties together the “global community.”

The Organizing Committee of the 2010 Congress of the ICLA anticipates that this event will not only awaken Korean literature and literary studies from its recent lethargy but will also have positive ramifications for humanities studies in general. This event will be truly a meaningful gathering of the great minds, coming together in Seoul to address and collectively search for a viable solution to the crisis of humanities studies.

The 2010 Congress theme is “Expanding the Frontiers of Comparative Literature.” In addition to the six-sub-themes, the Korean Comparative Literature Association (KCLA), in collaboration with Korean Language and Literature Association and other literary associations have developed various topics relating to Korean literature and culture, which will also be address in numerous sessions, workshops, round tables, and seminars during the 2010 Congress. Thus 2010 Seoul Congress of ICLA should be an event that demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the government, private sectors, and academic associations.

On behalf of the Korea Comparative Literature Association (KCLA), it is my pleasure to introduce our organization.

The Korea Comparative Literature Association, established in 1959, has more than 500 members and is registered with the Korea Research Foundation as one of the most representative academic associations in the nation. Since the 3rd Congress of the ICLA in Netherlands in 1960, KCLA has sent its delegates to every ICLA congress, and has formed a cooperative relationship with the associations of other Asian countries including the Japan Comparative Literature Association since 1966, and China Comparative Literature Association in 1971.

Along with various international activities and thanks to the active participation and contribution by junior scholars who have studied comparative literature in many different places around the world and returned to Korea, KCLA was able to increase its visibility on the international stage. This has resulted in the appointment of two Korean scholars to ICLA, one as Vice-President of ICLA and the other as a member of Executive Council. Eventually KCLA and Korea were chosen to host the 2010 ICLA Congress, making it the third Asian city ever host the ICLA congress after Tokyo in 1991 and Hong Kong in 2004.

Comparative literature has been from the very beginning an interdisciplinary program, which not only crosses over but also changes national and linguistic boundaries, and thus its rich tradition has become more important in the era of globalization. In this context, the role of international conferences which intend to expand and broaden the knowledge and understanding of differences, is quite critical to the development of comparative literature. If there is an Olympic games for sports, and an Expo for world industry, then the ICLA Congress holds the same position for the humanities.

KCLA is doing its best to prepare for the successful hosting of the ICLA Congress in 2010 at which more than 1,000 international scholars are expected to attend. Through this opportunity, KCLA would like to reestablish the status of humanities in Korea and demonstrate its potential to the international academic community. As president of KCLA, I sincerely would like to ask for your interest in and genuine commitment to the XIXth Congress of the ICLA in 2010 in Seoul, Korea.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.