Explore New Zealand culture through the book “Tales of Maui and Maori Myths”

Book experience program at Everest Inter-level School ( Hanoi ). Photo: Organizing Committee

At the program, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford inspired culture and knowledge with an exchange and reading of a part of the book “Tales of Maui and Maori Myths” by author and artist Peter Gossage (part of the Five Continents Bookcase, published by TIMES). The book is a collection of stories imbued with the cultural identity of the Maori people - the soul of New Zealand culture.

Ambassador Caroline Beresford shared that the book “Tales of Maui and Maori Myths” is one of the “bedside books” of New Zealand children. In this country, children all grow up with the mythological stories in the book.

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford interacts with children. Photo: Organizing Committee

She emphasized that although these stories are not true, they have profound meanings, helping New Zealand children feel connected to the land where they were born, to the sea, sky, nature and culture of the nation.

“I hope that Vietnamese children will also love these stories and through them, arouse their curiosity and desire to learn more about other cultures in the world . I believe that if we nurture that curiosity and spirit of learning, who knows, in the future, some children will become Vietnamese Ambassadors to other countries,” said Ambassador Caroline Beresford.

The program also takes students on a journey to learn “how a book is born” – from idea, writing, illustration, editing to publishing. The children are transformed into “little creators”, drawing illustrations, thinking of story titles and writing their own short stories.

New Zealand Ambassador and representatives of the Organizing Committee exchanged and introduced the book "Tales of Maui and Maori Myths". Photo: Organizing Committee

That creative inspiration was nurtured from the book that the program introduced – “Tales of Maui and Maori Myths”. With vibrant images, Maori-style paintings and simple yet profound narration, the book opens up before the reader a world of legends full of vitality.

Each page of the book is a story painting, where readers witness the intelligent, bold and cunning Maui perform extraordinary feats: Slowing down the Sun's steps, fishing up the North Island from the bottom of the sea, or finding the secret of fire... Beside Maui are gods, ancestral spirits and mystical creatures, all blending into a brilliant epic of wisdom, courage and spirit of discovery .

The author of this book is Peter Gossage - New Zealand's leading storyteller and illustrator. He has dedicated his life to reviving Maori myths through drawings and stories. In more than 30 years of writing, he has published more than 20 works, loved not only by children but also by adults in New Zealand.

In “Tales of Maui and Maori Myths”, Gossage recounts eight typical stories such as “Maui's Search for His Mother”, “Maui's Fish”, “The Battle of the Mountains”, “Pania Reef”… Each story is both magical and mythical, and contains humanistic messages about courage, wisdom and respect for nature - values that Maori people have preserved for many generations.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kham-pha-van-hoa-new-zealand-qua-cuon-truyen-ve-maui-va-cac-than-thoai-maori-719627.html