León, Spain – October 3, 2025 – The distinguished Korean poet Ko Un, one of the most influential literary voices of contemporary world poetry, will be honored with the I Leteo Prize 2025 at the Palabra Festival – International Festival of Letters and Arts, held in León from September 26 to October 5, 2025.
Ko Un’s presence marks a historic moment for the festival, bringing together East and West through poetry, culture, and dialogue. Recognized globally for his vast poetic oeuvre, which reflects both the turbulence of Korean history and the resilience of the human spirit, Ko Un has long been considered a voice of conscience and imagination. His works, translated into dozens of languages, embody universal values of peace, humanity, and memory.
The Palabra Festival, a flagship cultural event in León, gathers acclaimed writers, poets, musicians, and artists from Spain and abroad. The 2025 edition features an exceptional lineup, including Antonio Colinas, Jean Portante, Nuria Labari, Ray Loriga, Montserrat Domínguez, Niño de Elche, Fernando Navarro, Ledicia Costas, Jesús Maraña, Gustavo Martín Garzo, Irene Zoé Alameda, Pablo Cerezal, and many others.
By awarding the inaugural Leteo Prize to Ko Un, the festival recognizes not only his remarkable contribution to world literature but also the spirit of intercultural dialogue and artistic freedom that defines the Palabra Festival.
The award ceremony will take place in the city of León, reaffirming the city’s role as a vibrant hub for international literary exchange.
Ko Un is much loved and revered here. The prize ceremony will take place tomorrow, and Ko will have a poetry reading session. Also, Ko Un will read his long, profound essay on poetry, ‘Poetry’s Hand Axe’ the day after tomorrow.
After Leon, Ko Un will have a poetry reading at a very important poetry event at the Thyssen Museum in Madrid on the 10th.
About the Palabra Festival
The Palabra Festival – International Festival of Letters and Arts – is held annually in León, Spain, with the support of the City Council of León and Fundación “la Caixa”. The festival is dedicated to promoting literature, arts, and cultural dialogue, bringing together diverse voices to celebrate creativity and critical thought.
