Opening Ceremony of the Vietnam-Sweden Children's Film Week

On the morning of June 1st, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Film Institute, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy, ​​organized the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Sweden Children's Film Week in celebration of International Children's Day.

Opening Ceremony of the Vietnam-Sweden Children's Film Week.

Taking place from June 1st to 5th, the program showcases classic Swedish films along with many restored Vietnamese animated films. This activity contributes to spreading the art of storytelling through cinema and expanding cultural exchange for young audiences. The film week honors the renowned children's author Astrid Lindgren and many generations of Vietnamese animators, helping children discover the cinematic heritage of both countries.

The children were excited to explore the cinematic heritage of both countries.

The program features three newly restored Swedish films: Pippi Longstocking, The Lion Brothers, and Ronja, The Bandit's Daughter. Audiences can also enjoy a collection of 11 Vietnamese animated films spanning six decades, such as *The Fox Gets What He Deserves* (1960), *The Kitten* (1965), *The Story of Giong* (1970), *The Toad and the Frog* (1993), *Miracle on Resurrection* (1995), along with new productions from 2024 such as *The Spoiled Chicken Feather*, *Neighbors*, *The Caterpillar Turns into a Butterfly*, and *The Warm Lamp*.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi said: "Astrid Lindgren's characters embody core Swedish values ​​such as independence, equality, and respect for children's voices. The film week introduces heartwarming stories to the younger generation of Vietnam and reflects the long-standing cultural cooperation between the two countries, in which cinema plays an important connecting role."

Astrid Lindgren is one of the world's most influential children's writers. Her works have been translated into over 100 languages, conveying stories that celebrate courage, independence, and empathy.

The Vietnam-Sweden Children's Film Week continues the long-standing tradition of cooperation between the two countries in the field of cinema and cultural exchange. Since the 1970s, Sweden has supported the development of Vietnamese cinema through professional exchange programs, technical cooperation, and linkages between film agencies, especially in the archiving and preservation of films.

The collaboration between the Swedish Film Institute and its Vietnamese partners has contributed to enhancing the capacity for restoration and heritage management, bringing domestic and international cinema closer to the public. This year's program continues to promote the spirit of cooperation, introducing restored films to a new generation of audiences while celebrating Vietnam's tradition of animation filmmaking.

Young audience members attend the opening of the film week.

Director of the Vietnam Film Institute, Le Thi Ha, shared: "Introducing these films is part of our mission to preserve and spread the cinematic heritage. Astrid Lindgren's works represent the highest standards of children's cinema, combining artistic quality and emotional depth for all ages."

The Vietnam-Sweden Children's Film Week affirms the enduring power of storytelling in connecting cultures and generations, contributing to deepening cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Sweden.

NGOC LIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-mac-tuan-phim-thieu-nhi-viet-nam-thuy-dien-post966273.html