The commemorative edition of "The Tale of Kieu" celebrating the 260th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du has a new look.

"The Tale of Kieu" is a masterpiece of medieval Vietnamese literature. Comprising 3,254 verses written in the lục bát (six-eight) meter, the work recounts the life of Thúy Kiều – a woman of exceptional beauty and talent who endures many hardships and trials. "The Tale of Kieu" has been deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese consciousness for over two centuries.

A new illustrated edition of "Truyện Kiều" by artist Nguyễn Công Hoan. Photo: Publisher.

With the unique artistic creations of the genius Nguyen Du, the work possesses realistic, humanitarian, and humanistic values, while also bearing the strong imprint of Vietnamese language, tradition, and national spirit, having a profound influence not only in literature but also in all aspects of Vietnamese life.

Numerous editions of "Truyện Kiều" have been created and introduced, affirming the enduring vitality of this Nôm verse narrative.

This newly released edition of "Truyện Kiều" by Kim Đồng Publishing House stands out with its illustrations by artist Nguyễn Công Hoan. He is a renowned artist known for his distinctive painting style, imbued with classical depth and a unique use of color. The artist has left his mark on many classic works published by Kim Đồng Publishing House, such as the series of books in "Vietnamese Folk Tales in Pictures," and the artbook "Truyền kỳ mạn lục" (Tales of the Strange and Mysterious). With over 40 illustrations in this edition of "Truyện Kiều," artist Nguyễn Công Hoan has given this immortal epic poem a new, unique, and surprising look.

Illustrations by artist Nguyen Cong Hoan. Photo: Publisher.

The paintings were meticulously drawn by artist Nguyen Cong Hoan on thin sheets of silk paper, sometimes requiring the paper to be dried under a lamp to prevent ink from smudging. The paintings primarily use yellow and green tones, depicting key events in each part of the story: Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van playing music and admiring flowers; the two sisters attending the Thanh Minh festival; Kieu meeting Kim Trong…

Artist Nguyen Cong Hoan spent a lot of time finding a way to express himself in paintings that suited the atmosphere and context of the story, and then spent more than two years perfecting them. For some paintings, the artist created many versions and made numerous revisions before choosing the most satisfactory one.

Two classic works of medieval literature with illustrations by artist Nguyen Cong Hoan. Photo: Publisher.

This new edition of "Truyện Kiều" is one of several publications showcasing Kim Đồng Publishing House's efforts to bring classic works of Vietnamese medieval literature closer to readers, especially young readers. Also included in this series of reprinted books are: "Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái," "Truyền Kỳ Mạn Lục," and "Nam Hải Dị Nhân Liệt Truyện"... These are all meticulously produced editions, featuring colorful illustrations and beautiful presentation and printing.

Kim Dong Publishing House hopes that this edition of "Truyen Kieu" will bring a fresh experience to readers and contribute to preserving the "Truyen Kieu" heritage in every Vietnamese person.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/an-ban-truyen-kieu-ky-niem-260-nam-ngay-sinh-dai-thi-hao-nguyen-du-mang-dien-mao-moi-726397.html