Launch of the first product of the literary cooperation project with Taiwan

Wednesday - December 6, 2017 06:01

In March 2017, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU) agreed with National Cheng Kung University and the Department of Culture of Tainan City (Taiwan) on cooperation programs in research, translation and literary publishing. Up to now, after about 9 months of implementation, the first products of the Cooperation Project have begun to be published. On December 2, 2017, the short story collection "Spring Dream in the Gourd Alley" by writer Diep Thach Dao (translated by a translation team of lecturers from the Department of Oriental Literature - Faculty of Literature, published by Literature Publishing House) was officially introduced to Taiwanese readers.

The short story collection introduction ceremony was held in the premises of the Diep Thach Dao Literature Museum with the participation of representatives of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vice Principal Hoang Anh Tuan, representatives of the Faculty of Literature - Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien and representatives of the translation group - Master. Nguyen Thanh Dien.

On the Taiwanese side, there were the Director of the Tainan City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Director of the Taiwan Literature Museum, professors from universities across Taiwan... Also attending the launching ceremony were a special group of readers, including mothers who are Vietnamese brides and children with mixed Vietnamese and Taiwanese blood.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Department of Culture of Tainan City, Diep Trach Son, especially emphasized the important role, position and influence of writer Diep Thach Dao on the development of Taiwanese culture and literature in general, and on Tainan culture and literature. He also expressed his deep gratitude to Prof. Tran Ich Nguyen, Taiwan's leading expert in Vietnam studies, who for many years has become an important bridge for the exchange and mutual understanding between the two cultures of Vietnam and Taiwan. Prof. Tran Ich Nguyen is the host of the project to translate the works of writer Diep Thach Dao into Vietnamese. Mr. Diep Trach Son also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the leaders of the Faculty of Literature and the group of translators of the Faculty for helping to bring the name and typical works of writer Diep Thach Dao closer to Vietnamese readers and Vietnamese culture.

Speaking at the book launch ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: "The Vietnamese translation of the short story collection by Diep Thach Dao is the first step in the overall professional cooperation project between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi and research and management agencies of Taiwan such as National Cheng Kung University, Tainan Department of Culture...", and expressed his hope to further promote professional cooperation with Taiwanese partners in the coming time.

At the ceremony, the leaders of the School, the Faculty of Literature and the group of translators talked, signed books, and took souvenir photos with families of Vietnamese brides and international students studying in Taiwan in the Vietnamese community in Taiwan.

In addition to the short story collection “Spring Dream in the Alley of the Gourd”, two special comic books about Vietnamese culture have been translated into Chinese by the translation team and will soon be published for Taiwanese readers. In addition to literary works, the professional team will translate special in-depth monographs on Taiwanese literature and history to introduce to domestic researchers for reference.

Also within the framework of the working trip, the school’s staff visited and discussed with the leaders of the National Taiwan Museum of History to discuss the possibility of cooperation in research, organizing scientific seminars and joint publications in the coming years. Currently, the Museum is very interested in researching and displaying documents on Vietnamese history and culture.