Vietnamese literature in the spotlight at the 14th Asian Children’s Content Festival

Vietnam is the featured country at the 14th Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) in Singapore, as Vietnamese literature is in focus. Through various activities such as seminars, exhibitions, and book presentations, Vietnam has contributed to the success of AFCC 2023.

That was shared by Claire Chiang, chairwoman of the Singapore Book Council – organizer of the AFCC 2023, when the event wrapped up on May 27. 

Claire Chiang expressed her appreciation for the Vietnamese delegation’s active participation by hosting various activities.

AFCC 2023 highlighted Vietnam’s children’s literature history and publishing opportunities, as well as showcasing the best picture book illustrations. 

Chang also hoped to establish a version of the Asian Children’s Content Festival in Vietnam to further bilateral cooperation in literary development and translation between the Singaporean and Vietnamese literary communities.

Eleven Vietnamese publishers and contributors in Vietnam participated in the event, including HCM City General Publishing House, The Gioi Publishing House, Kim Dong Publishing House, and Dinh Ti Books Company.

A booth of Vietnam at the 14th Asian Festival of Children’s Content. Photo: Kim Dong

Translator Tran Le Thuy Linh, author Vu Xuan Hoan and lecturer Nguyen Thanh Nam provided an in-depth look at Vietnam’s current children’s book market. Participants had the opportunity to learn about current publishing developments and trends, challenges and opportunities as well.

As part of the AFCC, books from Kim Dong Publishing House were selected as the theme images for the Vietnamese booth. In particular, visitors can scan a QR code to learn more about De Men (The Cricket), familiar to many generations of Vietnamese children through the story Diary of a Cricket by writer To Hoai. Now translated into more than 40 languages, Diary of a Cricket is the most translated Vietnamese book of all time.

On the last day at AFCC, the Vietnamese delegation held a series of workshops, including “Finding Mommy Elephant”; “Publishing Translated Kidlit: Challenges and Opportunities”; “The Call of the Wind” program discussing the creative journey of two picture books on wildlife conservation; book launch of “My Dad is Runner” with author Tam Bui and artist Jeet Zdung.

A seminar held by Kim Dong Publishing House at the AFCC. Photo: Kim Dong

Le Hoang, Vice President of the Vietnam Publishing Association, said that this event opened up potential and opportunities for cooperation with the Singapore publishing industry, ASEAN countries, and the world.

He said: “I believe that with the increasingly extensive cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore, the publishing industry of the two countries in general, and the field of children’s books in particular, will increasingly achieve much better success.”

AFCC is an annual festival that promotes and advocates the creation, development, and appreciation of quality Asian stories for children and young people. It provides an opportunity for people in the publishing industry to exchange and develop cross-cultural collaborations.

With over 70 programs featuring over 100 authors and speakers from Singapore and worldwide, AFCC 2023 explored the various dimensions of “play” through books, stories, and performances.

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