Southwestern children's literature flourishes

In recent years, children's literature in the Southwest region has shown signs of improvement, especially with the participation of many young writers who have created surprising and interesting works for children .

Some outstanding young writers from the Southwest region interact with young readers in the program "Glittering pages of alluvium" organized by Kim Dong Publishing House. Photo: NHIEN HUONG

The next generations

Children's literature in the Southwest region once made its mark with names such as Doan Gioi, Nguyen Quang Sang, Anh Duc; later, there were Nguyen Thi Thanh Hue, Mai Buu Minh, Hoang Mai Quyen, Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Tran Tung Chinh, Vo Dieu Thanh, Le Minh Nhut... At present, there is also a young and potential next generation including: Truong Chi Hung, Le Quang Trang, Phat Duong, Nguyen Chi Ngoan...

2023 is probably a "bumper" year for children's literature in this region when many impressive works of different genres appear. Starting with Phat Duong (Can Tho) with the long story 100 windows, written about an exciting and humorous adventure journey with added fantasy elements; followed by a series of works by authors in An Giang such as: Living with water (Truong Chi Hung), Ca linh goes to school (Le Quang Trang), That summer has a rain shower (Tran Tung Chinh), Angel Oc Tieu (Vo Dieu Thanh), Afternoon crow talks to kite (Giai Du); and U Minh identity (Nguyen Chi Ngoan, Kien Giang )...

“With the advantage of being filled with natural space, rivers and history of land reclamation, the Southwest region is an open space, bringing many advantages for authors here to be able to compose children's literature with very unique materials, especially in the genre of fairy tales,” writer Van Thanh Le shared.

Recently, Kim Dong Publishing House organized a meeting with children's writers in the Southwest region in An Giang province. According to writer Van Thanh Le, Director of Kim Dong Publishing House's branch in Ho Chi Minh City, the meeting, in addition to launching the first Kim Dong Literature Award, also aimed to create opportunities for young writers in the region to discuss publishing works, while also inspiring the creative spirit for children. "According to our observations, children's literature in the Southwest region has been flourishing in recent years. In An Giang alone, there are 20 young writers who have written for children, this is truly a dream number for many localities, showing that the potential for writing for children in the region is very strong...".

Need a children's literature award in the Mekong Delta

Last September, young writer Le Quang Trang was a Vietnamese delegate attending the 5th Asian Literature Forum 2023 held in Gwangju (Korea). When sharing with friends in the country and the region, he did not hide his pride that the Southwest region once had a generation of great writers, and they had a deep interest in children's literature. In particular, their works not only serve children, but also carry the cultural soul to firmly root themselves in the hearts of readers. "I feel that this land is full of stories, inspirations and sources of authors to contribute to a strong children's literature," Le Quang Trang expressed.

However, according to Le Quang Trang, it seems that the atmosphere of children's literature in this land is still "gentle" and quite quiet. Apart from classic works such as Dat rung phuong nam, Dong song tho thu, which have been recognized by many generations of readers, until now, children's literature in the Southwest has not found a work that is superior to the previous "shadow of the mountains". That is worth our contemplation and finding ways to build a movement.

Young writer Nguyen Chi Ngoan believes that the writing atmosphere for children in the Southwest region is very vibrant, as evidenced by the increasing number of authors writing for children and the many works being published. Currently, there are many writing competitions for children taking place, attracting many authors to participate. That is also the motivation for him and other authors to continue writing for children.

Currently, every year, the 13 Literature and Arts Associations in the Mekong Delta region take turns organizing competitions such as: short stories, poems, memoirs... but there is still no competition for children's literature. "I think that if there is a competition specifically for children's literature in the Mekong Delta, it will attract more authors to write for children, for children, so that children can learn more about the history, culture and people of the West", young writer Nguyen Chi Ngoan suggested.

Regarding this proposal, young writer Le Quang Trang added: "Whether the literature of the Mekong Delta in general and a "rising mound" of children's literature in this extremely generous delta region will become a green and fertile "island" or not depends on the accumulation from today with each "grain of alluvium", including the "grains of alluvium" sown from the competitions".

According to sggp.org.vn

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