"The Tale of Kieu" is reissued with a new look.

This is the edition of "The Tale of Kieu" released to commemorate the 260th anniversary of the birth (1765-2025) and the 205th anniversary of the death (1820-2025) of the great poet Nguyen Du.

“The Tale of Kieu” is a masterpiece of Vietnamese medieval literature. With 3,254 verses written in the six-eight meter, the work tells the story of Thuy Kieu, a beautiful and talented woman who had to go through many ups and downs. “The Tale of Kieu” has been in the minds of Vietnamese people for more than two centuries.

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 the Vietnamese language, traditions, and national spirit. It has a profound influence not only in literature but also in all aspects of Vietnamese life. As scholar Pham Quynh concluded: "As long as The Tale of Kieu exists, our language exists; as long as our language exists, our country exists."

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

This edition of "Truyện Kiều" (The Tale of Kiều) features a new look with 40 illustrations by artist Nguyễn Công Hoan. Nguyễn Công Hoan is renowned for his distinctive painting style, characterized by classical depth and unique use of color. He is a familiar artist whose name appears in 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).

The paintings were meticulously drawn by artist Nguyen Cong Hoan on thin sheets of silk paper, sometimes having to dry the paper 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 considerable amount of time finding a way to express himself through his paintings that suited the atmosphere and context of the story, and then dedicated over two years to perfecting them. Some paintings were created in multiple versions, with numerous revisions before he finally chose the most satisfactory one.

Artist Ta Huy Long – art editor at Kim Dong Publishing House – shared: “This is a color-illustrated version of The Tale of Kieu that bears a strong Vietnamese imprint with characteristic details such as willow trees, bamboo groves, betel nut clusters, banana trees… Thanks to his keen observation skills and unique talent, artist Nguyen Cong Hoan has depicted the artistic world of “The Tale of Kieu” in a way that truly reflects the spirit of Nguyen Du's era.”

Editor Nguyen Thanh Huong (Kim Dong Publishing House) said: “I have always admired artist Nguyen Cong Hoan for his perseverance, meticulousness, and love for his profession. Furthermore, he is always open to feedback, respectful, and attentive to our opinions and wishes. Therefore, whenever we receive illustrations from him, we understand that they represent all the dedication and passion he has poured into his work.”

This edition of "Truyện Kiều" is part of an artbook series that aims to revitalize classic works of medieval Vietnamese literature with elaborate and aesthetically pleasing illustrations, bringing these works closer to younger readers. Other publications, including "Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái," "Truyền Kỳ Mạn Lục," and "Nam Hải Dị Nhân Liệt Truyện," are also meticulously produced, featuring colorful illustrations and beautiful presentation and printing, with illustrations by artists such as Tạ Huy Long and Nguyễn Công Hoan.

LINH KHANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tai-ban-truyen-kieu-voi-dien-mao-moi-post929188.html