Dr. Le Nhat Ky: Fairy tales are not just for children...

(GLO) - From over 60 stories by nearly 20 authors spanning almost a century, the book series "Modern Vietnamese Fairy Tales" (comprising 3 volumes) has been systematically compiled into a comprehensive anthology for the first time. Selected by Dr. Le Nhat Ky and published by Kim Dong Publishing House, it has just been released to readers nationwide.

Dr. Le Nhat Ky shared about the selection process and his expectations for this book series.

* Sir, what prompted you to propose compiling a collection of modern Vietnamese fairy tales?

Dr. Le Nhat Ky. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

- In September 2023, when the Kim Dong Publishing House delegation visited Quy Nhon to interact with the Binh Dinh (formerly) Provincial Association of Literature and Arts and students of Quy Nhon University, I suggested that the publishing house should publish a separate anthology of modern Vietnamese fairy tales.

Previously, this genre was often published alongside short stories or fables, making it difficult for readers to clearly understand its form and development. I believe that a comprehensive and systematic set of books would help identify the achievements of modern fairy tales, while also contributing to the development of reading culture among children.

I was delighted that the proposal was approved by Ms. Ngo Thi Phu Binh, Head of the Literature Editorial Board at Kim Dong Publishing House. From then on, I, along with editor and poet Nguyen Thi Huong Ly, spent nearly a year selecting and editing the material.

* Prior to this project, were there any similar anthologies, sir?

- Previously, modern Vietnamese fairy tales appeared sporadically. Sometimes they were included in anthologies or published separately by individual authors, helping readers become aware of a few writers, but they did not reflect the flow and development of the genre over many generations.

I want to fill that gap with a more comprehensive work, providing a relatively complete introduction to modern Vietnamese fairy tales in terms of: works, authors, and development history.

* Could you share more about the selection process for the works in this book series?

- Actually, the number of works and authors selected for inclusion is much larger. However, due to various reasons during the editing process, some works were not included in the anthology. Specifically for the Gia Lai region, two authors, Pham Ho and Le Thi Kim Son, have works included in the anthology.

The main target audience for this anthology is children, so the primary criterion is that the stories must be engaging and captivating. The stories should be concise, diverse in storytelling techniques, rich in imagination, imbued with humanistic values, and suitable for the age group. For adults, the anthology also holds unique value: it evokes childhood memories while simultaneously helping them understand the poetic characteristics and history of modern Vietnamese fairy tales.

* When incorporating traditional fairy tale elements into modern life, do you fear losing the "soul" of folklore?

- Every modern fairy tale always has two parallel elements: folklore and modernity. The folklore element is inherited to preserve the fairytale essence; the modern element is created by the writer to bring new life to the story.

For example, Nguyen Huong in "Eating Plums and Returning Gold" still maintains the philosophy of "greed leads to ruin," but changes the ending to be more benevolent compared to the folk tale "The Starfruit Tree." These adjustments do not detract from the essence of the fairy tale; on the contrary, they make the story more relatable and humane for children today.

A trilogy of Vietnamese modern fairy tales. Photo: Kim Dong Publishing House.

* In the stories you selected, are there any prominent trends, sir?

Modern Vietnamese fairy tales are generally influenced by two fundamental factors: the humanistic spirit of folk tales and the aesthetic and educational spirit of the new era. Writers both inherit tradition and seek their own path to meet the fairy tale needs of children today.

Some writers specialize in the legends of flowers and fruits, like Pham Ho (Stories of Flowers and Fruits), while others rewrite fairy tales with a critical spirit, like Nguyen Huong (The Cat in High Heels), or rekindle childhood questions about the world of fairy tales, like Nguyen Mai Dung (Untold Fairy Tales). This diversity creates the rich tapestry of modern fairy tales – where writers converse with children through relatable stories of morality and life.

So, what will researchers, teachers, and parents find in this book series?

- For researchers, this anthology is a valuable resource for studying poetics and the history of the genre, something that has been lacking until now. For educators, especially at the primary school level, the book provides excellent support for creative storytelling, helping students understand how to rewrite stories, change details, and create new endings. For parents, it's an opportunity to read together with their children, share experiences, and nurture their imagination and character.

Thank you for the conversation!

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/tien-si-le-nhat-ky-co-tich-khong-chi-danh-cho-tre-em-post569420.html