Exchange and cooperation in translation and publication of literary and historical books between VNU-USSH and partners from the Russian Federation.

Attending the meeting were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong, Vice Rector, leaders of the Cooperation and Development Department, the Scientific Research Management Department, the head of the Literature Faculty, and a large number of lecturers and students from the Literature Faculty.
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong extended a warm welcome to the Russian Writers' Delegation for taking the time to visit the university, introduce and donate valuable literary works to the university library. This was truly a scientific activity, a precious opportunity for lecturers and students of the Faculty of Literature, especially those in the Foreign Literature department, to meet and converse with great authors of Russian literature. Vice Rector Dao Thanh Truong shared: "The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Faculty of Literature in particular, has a long history of formation and development, training many great writers, cultural figures, and politicians for the country. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the current Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son, were once students of the Faculty of Literature. In the Faculty's training and research programs, we always have a special affection for Russia, Russian culture, and Russian literature. Currently, many lecturers and research experts of the University have studied in Russia. Over the years, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had friendly, broad, and effective cooperation with many universities, educational organizations, and research institutes of the Russian Federation. The visit of Russian writers today further strengthens that relationship."

Mr. Evgeny Reznichenko, Head of the Russian Federation Writers' Delegation, expressed his gratitude for the warm and cordial welcome from the School's leadership, and also expressed his admiration for visiting the School's Traditional Room. “We are very impressed with your long-standing historical tradition and the achievements you have made over the past nearly 80 years, affirming your position as a leading center for training and research in social sciences and humanities not only in Vietnam but also with high prestige in the region and internationally. The Faculty of Literature of the University has a long tradition and a dedicated department for the study of foreign literature, including Russian literature, which makes us very happy. The mission of the Institute of Translation is to support the translation of Russian literature into the languages ​​of other countries. To this end, the Institute provides funding for foreign publishing. Therefore, we hope that through this meeting, we can not only introduce valuable books of Russian literature but also develop more cooperation in the field of translation, publication, and distribution for students and lecturers of the University,” Mr. Evgeniy Reznichenko emphasized.
     
During the meeting, the two authors, Mr. Afanasy Mamedov and Ms. Anna Esparsa, introduced two works of literary history to the faculty and students of the university: novels."The Babylon Steamship"and book“The secrets and heroes of the century. Unpublished Paris archives.” Afanasy Mamedov is a writer, journalist, and literary critic, a member of the Moscow Writers' Union and the PEN Center of Russia. He is the author of many famous books in Russia: the novels "Khazarskiy Veter" (The Khazar Wind), "Frau Shram" (Mrs. Scar), and "Roman Nobles: Novel Number One Hundred". His novel "The Steamship Babylon" (Parokhod Babelon), written in 2021 and 2022, was shortlisted for the National Literary Prize "The Great Book". The novel "The Steamship Babylon" is based on a true story from his own family, with memoirs recorded by family members living in Russia in the 1920s. Based on real historical events, he combines them with literary elements to make historical stories more engaging and accessible to readers, especially young readers.
Anna Esparsa is a PhD in history and cultural studies. A graduate of the History Department of Moscow State University, Anna Esparsa is the editor-in-chief and co-author of television documentary projects with Eduard Radzinsky, a historical consultant and author of ideas for major festivals and exhibitions in Moscow and internationally; she is also the author of numerous documentary film projects and major history book series. During a meeting with faculty and students of VNU-USSH, author Anna Esparsa shared the fascinating story of her access to the KOIIIKO family archives and the inspiration behind her book, "Secrets and Heroes of the Century: Unpublished Parisian Archives." Her initial reaction was one of astonishment at the valuable archives of a family (who lived in Soviet Russia after the October Revolution and later emigrated to France) containing so much information about the history of a nation and its people. This motivated the author to publish the book so that he could introduce this valuable material to a wider audience in Russia and around the world. The book truly serves as a precious historical documentary, allowing today's younger generation to better understand Russia before World War II.

Speaking at the meeting, Associate Professor Pham Xuan Thach expressed his deep gratitude to the prominent Russian cultural figures, historians, and literary authors who visited and brought invaluable gifts to the Faculty of Literature and the University – gifts of culture and literature. These books will be valuable resources for Vietnamese readers, especially young readers, providing them with a valuable source of information to better understand Russia in various historical periods. The Head of the Faculty of Literature, Pham Xuan Thach, hoped that, beyond simply introducing books, the Russian Federation Translation Institute and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities would have more activities related to translation and support for the publication of new literary works from Vietnam and the Russian Federation, so that the public could better understand the history, culture, and literature of both countries in the contemporary and modern eras.
During the meeting, delegates from both sides engaged in a lively exchange of experiences in conveying true historical stories to the public, especially young people, in the most accessible way. Anna Esparsa, with her experience as a history researcher and involvement in numerous major Russian film and publishing projects, shared that alternative forms such as theatrical adaptations, films, and literary works are needed to convey historical content and stories, alongside traditional historical writing methods.  
Writer Afanasy Mamedov also shared insights on how to combine fictional elements in literature with historical cores to create works that are both authentic and vividly engaging. Historian Anna Esparza said that writing "The Secrets and Heroes of the Century: Unpublished Paris Archives" brought her to Vietnam, a place she truly loves. Discussing the importance of historical memory, Anna advised the audience: "You need to be curious about life and realize that history is both memory, today, and the future."
At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the University's Board of Directors, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong once again thanked the Russian writers for visiting and donating books to the University, and for their very useful exchanges on Russian history and literature. In the future, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities hopes to continue receiving the attention and cooperation of the Institute of Translation, the Moscow Writers' Association, as well as individual writers and researchers from the Russian Federation in training, student and faculty exchange, translation, and publishing activities.