On October 14, Dong-A Socio Group announced that successful conclusion to the 37th National Marronnier Writing contest for Women held in Marronnier Park, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 11th.
The 37th National Marronnier Writing Contest for Women started in 1983 and its 37th year, is the oldest women’s writing contest. The contest aims to expand the base of the female literary population and to promote women's creative literary activities. The contest is hosted by the Korea Culture and Arts Committee, and is sponsored by the Sooseok Culture Foundation, Dong-A Pharm, Dong-A ST, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Anyone who is interested in literature can participate in the contest. Participants choose from one of three categories, poetry, prose, or children's literature (children's poem and fairy tale) according to the given topic. The winner of each category qualifies for a debut feature in a literary magazine.
Under the clear autumn sky, about 500 participants showed off their writing skills by choosing one of four writing topics: appointment, bag, yesterday, and journal.
Chairman Park Kwang-soon of the Sooseok Culture Foundation, President Han Jong-hyun of Dong-A Socio Holdings, President Choi Ho-jin of Dong-A Pharm, and Director Park Jong-gwan of the Korean Culture and Arts Committee attended the event to encourage the participants.
After the manuscripts were submitted for review, the jury selected 1 winner, 1 first runner-up, 3 second runners-up, 5 honorary mentions, and 2 special selections in each category and awarded prizes, including money and gifts, to a total of 32 participants. Yoo Tae-yang, Nam Seol-hee, and Choi Won-shil won the honors in the categories of poetry, prose, and children’s literature, respectively. As well as awarding prizes to the winners, all of the participants were given souvenirs such as Garglin and Bacchus-flavored jelly from Dong-A Pharm.
The event also comprised lectures on literature by poets Moon Bo-young and Kim Bok-hee, and an autumn concert on the theme of memories of past love, which were held at the Artist’s House and the outdoor venue in Marronnier Park, respectively, to promote the literary arts.
An executive of Dong-A Socio Group said, “Thanks to the interest and support from women who love literature, the Marronnier National Women's Writing Content has continued thus far. We will continue to promote culture and art projects in addition to the Marronnier National Women’s Writing Contest, so that more women can fulfill their dreams of literary creation.”