International literati look towards Vietnam

In 2021, many foreign poets, editors and publishers, actively connected with the Vietnamese side, to exchange and publish a number of literary works.

Alexander Konstantin Kabishev – a Russian poet
Alexander Konstantin Kabishev – a Russian poet

The more limited the face-to-face exchange is, the higher the exchange demand via online works and forums, will increase. Surprisingly, many international writers have also been eager to introduce their works to Vietnamese readers.

The introduction of literary works has become an excuse for the writers and authors to connect together and make friends. Many new friendships between Vietnamese writers and poets, with foreign colleagues, were nurtured over the past years. They exchanged not only their works, but also living experiences and cultural gifts, as well as shared joys and sorrows, while supporting necessary resources to promote their works, on diverse information platforms. Several editors were willing to dedicate pages of their magazines, to publishing Vietnamese literary works and poems, such as poets, translators and editors, Andrea H Hedes (Romania), Alexandre Konstantinovic Kabishev (Russia), Shersod Artikov (Uzbekistan), Emanuela Rizzo (Italy), Annette Nasser (the US) and Nirbhay Devyansh (India).

So, what motivates foreign writers, editors and editor-in-chiefs to introduce Vietnamese literature to their readers? Three of them shared their opinions.

Alexander Konstantin Kabishev – a Russian poet and editor-in-chief of Humanity newspaper and Demo Gog platform (global community of cultural activists):

“A future of a shared literature is still latent”

Alexander Konstantin Kabishev noted that Vietnam is quite far from Russia, but the two countries are quite close in terms of spiritual and cultural values. He also saw that Vietnam has a warm climate and welcoming people. That is the country of a kind and friendly people, he added. Vietnamese people create a sea of talents and a clear stream of modern humanitarian thought. Vietnam is also the second home of many Russians. In a country where visitors always receive the enthusiastic support as blood relatives, the ideas and manuscripts are always deeply appreciated.

The Russian poet also said there will be joint creative projects, that will help connect the two countries’ literature and people. He expressed his hope that Vietnamese colleagues will believe in him, because he is carrying out the project entitled “Binh Minh” (The Dawn), aiming to connect 50 authors from the two countries to join the book, as well as a project towards setting a Guinness world record for poetry. In these projects, the number of Vietnamese writers and poets is not inferior to the Russian side and the support from the Vietnam Writers’ Association will promote humanity in life. A future of a shared literature is hidden in the creative cultural cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian writers.

Nirbhay Devyansh – an Indian poet and Editor of “The Light” Magazine:

“Wishing to be a part of Vietnamese literature”

For Nirbhay Devyansh, Vietnam is the soul of the fight for peace, love and a good future for mankind. Without courage, Vietnamese people could not gain independence and confidently stand up, to build such a beautiful country, he added.

According to Nirbhay Devyansh, anyone who believes in people’s passion, should share his sincere love for Vietnam. With that sentiment, no one can deny the bravery of Vietnamese literature and arts. Any move needs passion and any action needs love. Everything needs emotions, just like literature needs language and emotions. Vietnamese literature has given foreign writers, an optimistic attitude and progress in dark situations. Vietnamese writers are all very strong and realistic in their thought and works, which is hard to find in other countries. “We are very much looking forward to being a part of Vietnamese literature”.

Sherzod Artikov, a writer from Uzbekistan and an editor of Sindh Courier literary magazine and Edebi.net electronic literary magazine:

“The beauty of Vietnamese poetry really has a strong appeal”

Sherzod Artikov said he has always been fascinated by Oriental literature. For example, the excellent haiku poems, written by classical Japanese poets, such as Matsuo Basho and Yosa Buson, are very appealing to him, and Chinese poet Du Fu’s poems moved him. Despite being a fan of Western poetry, he realised the attraction of the Oriental literature. Over recent years, he has been interested in the Vietnamese poets’ beauty. Therefore, he began to read and translate the poems by contemporary poets from the country.

So far, he translated and published 15 Vietnamese poets in Uzbek, Pakistani and Turkish literary magazines. The Uzbek authors has promoted their cooperation with Vietnamese colleagues. The cooperation between the two sides have brought them new experiences and impressions, as well as the opportunities to speak out about their homeland, learn from other cultures, broaden their new horizons, enjoy foreign flavours and connect with Vietnamese authors more closely. That is certainly a huge intellectual property. Sherzod Artikov wished to maintain and develop his relationships with Vietnamese authors. Under their cooperation, the books and literary anthologies from both countries, will be published.

Translated by NDO