Korean Poetry Comes Alive at HSE University Contest
On June 10, 2026, the HSE University–Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme hosted a Korean Poetry Recitation Contest. Despite the demanding schedule of preparation for the summer examination session, participants went beyond simply memorising poems in Korean, creating original performances complete with presentations and musical accompaniment. The contest brought together students from HSE University and several other higher education institutions.
The event was organised through a joint initiative of two divisions of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs (WEIA): the Kyung Hee Double Degree Programme and the School of Asian Studies.
Bringing together enthusiasts of the Korean language and culture, the competition required extensive preparation from participants. Students were tasked not only with learning a poem in Korean but also with developing a full creative performance, incorporating visual presentations and music to convey the nuances of the poetic imagery.
The performances were evaluated by a jury consisting of faculty members and invited Korean Studies specialists:
- Daria Grishina, Doctor of Sciences, Professor at the School of Asian Studies (WEIA)
- Ekaterina Kliuikova, Candidate of Sciences (PhD), Research Fellow at the Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies (HSE Faculty of Humanities)
- Elena Khokhlova, Candidate of Sciences (PhD), Assistant Professor at the School of Asian Studies (WEIA)
- YongBae Yu, Korean language instructor at the HSE University–Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme
The contest was supported by Orion, which served as the event’s partner. Winners and prize recipients received commemorative gifts, including books in Korean and gift sets of Korean sweets provided by Orion, adding a festive touch to the occasion.
Participants included HSE University students representing both the Kyung Hee Double Degree Programme and the School of Asian Studies, as well as guests from other Moscow universities where Korean is taught as a specialised subject.
Winners—Senior Category (Years 3–5)
- First place shared by Lima Malinovskaya (Moscow City University) for '나는 배웠다' (양광모) and Sofia Tagirova (HSE University) for her original poem '행복이란'
Winners—Junior Category (Years 1–2)
- First Place: Kseniya Petukh (Moscow City University) for '초혼' (김소월)
- Second Place: Ekaterina Yurchak (HSE University) for 참회록 (윤동주)
- Third Place: Oleg Tytyuchenko (HSE University) for '아니오' (신동엽)
Serving as a welcome creative highlight before the start of examination week, the contest demonstrated that true immersion in a language is impossible without an appreciation of the country’s poetry and culture. The organisers intend to make the event an annual tradition, expanding participation and introducing increasingly ambitious performance formats in future editions.
Admissions to the HSE and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Bachelor’s Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia are now open. Visit the programme website to learn more.
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