CrossAsia Talk: Lukáš Kubík presents “(Un)official Korean Sources on late Koryŏ in the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin’s East Asian Collection”

Lukáš Kubík (Institute of Asian Studies at the Charles University in Prague, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin scholarship holder in 2024) will present some of the results from his work with the East Asian collection of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. He also published a blog post on his work: : https://blog.crossasia.org/unofficial-korean-sources-on-late-koryo-in-the-staatsbibliothek-zu-berlins-east-asian-collection/

Abstract:

In this lecture, I will talk about Korean historical sources held in the East Asian collection of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, focusing on both official and unofficial narratives from the late Koryŏ period onward. While official histories document key events, a range of unofficial sources offers unique, often personal perspectives that enrich our understanding of the past. Among these are educational texts used in private academies, or Sŏwŏn (書院), which compile Korean history from earlier works to create accessible overviews for students. Equally significant are the Munjip (文集), or collected writings of scholars, officials, and literati, which capture personal reflections and experiences rarely found in state-sanctioned records. These various sources reveal a complex and multifaceted picture of Korea’s historical and intellectual traditions, allowing us to explore widely accepted accounts and individual viewpoints.

The lecture will be held in English. If you have any questions, please contact us: ostasienabt@sbb.spk-berlin.de.

The lecture will also be streamed and recorded via Webex*. You can take part in the lecture using your browser without having to install a special software. Please click on the respective button “To the lecture” below, follow the link “join via browser” (“über Browser teilnehmen”), and enter your name.

To the lecture: https://spk-berlin.webex.com/spk-berlin/j.php?MTID=m64c5826c1aec6b8d68bdfb64e036d4bf

You can find all previously announced lectures and recordings here. We will announce further dates in our blog and on X

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