By Priscilla Osaje
Mr Kim Changki, Director, Korea Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), has urged poets to use their creative writing to inspire humanity for the betterment of society and preservation of cultural core values.
Changki said this at the KCCN March Culture Day Event with the theme: “Express Your Korea” in commemoration of the World Poetry Day (WPD), on Thursday in Abuja.
The director was represented by Ms Suyeong Kim, Cultural Event Manager of KCCN.
He said that the centre on the day always looked at the poetic side of individuals in the likes of Yoon-Dong Ju, Kim Sowol, Lee Jenny, who had impacted humanity with their poetry.
According to him, poetry has become a way to learn, understands cultures as well as the emotions of other people.
He said that poetry predated literacy, adding that the very first poem could be dated back to 3,500 years ago.
“The word ‘Poetry’ itself means ‘create’, and today after a brief presentation on the essence of poetry, you will be divided into groups to be creative.
“An experience I hope you all are looking forward to as I urge you all to engage yourselves in cultural art, looking forward to seeing your artistic side,” he said.
Mr Matthew Nweze, an English and literature in English teacher, Saints Simon and Jude Seminary Kuje, said writing poetry seemed to be interesting, compared to reading due to the feeling attached.
Nweze, who spoke on the topic: “How to write and Read Poetry as a Beginner”, said a good poet had to be inspired with wonders of nature and such could occur in a quiet place.
According to him, poetry is not written in paragraphs or chapters but in a few words in single lines.
He said that those words might not make a meaning to the reader initially, but meaning and understanding comes as he or she continues to read.
“The properties of poetry such as stanza, rhyme, rhythm, among others give poetry the flavours to be sung as a song.
“Something must cross your mind when writing poetry in order to inspire.
“You must have emotional feelings because poetry is not what you sit down and start thinking; rather something must strike your mind.
“It can be a gentle incident, a single word, social or moral issues or wonders of nature.
“You determine the format in which you want to write because a particular pattern may restrict expression of emotions on points to make in a poem,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of poems like ‘Against My Better Judgment’ ‘Korea Affairs’ ‘My Korea ‘ ‘Hallyu’ ‘The Line Where We All Meet’ and ‘Soul My Soul ‘ by various groups of participants.
Ms Shammah Teru, group one leader and presenter of the poem ‘The Line where We All Meet’ emerged winner.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Poetry Day, which was created by UNESCO in 1999 is celebrated on March 21.
It aimed at supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression, and increasing the opportunity for endangered language to be heard. (NAN)
Edited by Chidinma Agu/Joseph Edeh
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