The Irish Embassy announced the opening of submissions for this year’s Irish-Korean Essay Competition 2013 for university students. The deadline is Nov. 29.

The essay contest is the result of a cooperative partnership between the embassy and the Irish Association of Korea. The topic this year is “Ireland and Korea: A Shared History of Storytelling.”

The embassy extends a financial grant to the IKA annually to support the competition. The competition aims to raise awareness about the links between Ireland and Korea.

The first-prize winner will receive the opportunity for one month of study at Ireland’s Emerald Cultural Institute, including accommodation, flights and cash. Runners up are awarded cash or cultural prizes.

The competition encourages Korean students to look at the relationship between Korea and Ireland and to delve into it creatively and critically in the English language.

Last year’s first-place winner, Ro Seong-ja, won a month-long opportunity to study at the Emerald Cultural Institute in Ireland, including full expenses-paid flight, as well as accommodation and a living stipend.

Essays must be in English, between 1,500 and 2,000 words long, and should be sent to seoulembassy@dfa.ie.

IAK is a non-profit organization that promotes Ireland and all that falls under the banner of “Irishness” in South Korea. The group organizes an annual St. Patrick’s Day festival in Seoul and is seeking donations and volunteers for that effort. For more information about the essay contest and the group’s other activities, check out www.iak.co.kr or email iak.essay@gmail.com. 

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)