Suzanne Lebeau, a world-renowned playwright from Québec, Canada, gave a lecture during the 26th ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul under the title of “Writing for Children: Seeking for Liberty (Écrire pour enfants: une conquête de la liberté).” With the support of the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, ASSITEJ Korea invited Suzanne Lebeau to give a speech presenting her exceptional perspectives on TYA as a pioneer. Approximately 60 writers and representatives of Korean theater companies for young audiences participated in the lecture, as well as students who are interested in writing for children.
Reflecting on her past productions, she shared with the audiences her experience and knowledge in writing for TYA: How she dealt with issues such as rape and war in her works and how she collaborated and cooperated with children. At the end of the lecture, there were various questions about Suzanne Lebeau’s works. Some participants mentioned that their thoughts on children – the being and position of children in societies – have changed and also said that they were greatly impressed by the lecture in which Suzanne Lebeau highlighted “Allow children the freedom to see, feel, and judge the world on their own.”
