Seoul – In an increasingly fragmented world, poetry once again proves to be a powerful tool for dialogue and unity among peoples. Italian poet, translator, and journalist Laura Garavaglia has been announced as the winner of the 16th Changwon KC International Literary Prize, a prestigious South Korean award that celebrates a lifetime devoted to literature and cultural ethics.

Unlike many literary prizes, the Changwon KC does not honor a single book, but an entire body of work. The jury selected Garavaglia for her ability to explore the mysteries of existence with a language that “transcends boundaries, illuminating both light and darkness,” and that “combines universal human values with the beauty of words, resonating deeply with readers.”

Garavaglia will also be a guest poet at the Seoul World Poetry Expo 2025, held alongside the Changwon KC Prize ceremony. The event gathers poets and translators from 13 countries to reflect on the role and significance of poetry in contemporary society.

Established in 2010 to honor the spirit of Korean poet Wolha Kim Dal-jin, the Changwon KC Prize stands out for its strong ethical focus, celebrating authors whose work promotes freedom, human rights, peace, and hope — always placing humanity at the center of artistic creation.

The jury, composed of leading figures from the Korean literary world, praised Garavaglia’s poetry as “a vehicle capable of guiding readers into another world through a language that is both precise and universal.”