ICLA 2010 - The XIXth Congress of the International Comparative Literature Association

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.