East-West Writers and the Novel Regret
On the afternoon of June 27, the first Vietnam-China Literary Exchange program - Dialogue with East-West writers took place at the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations.
The Chinese guests are writer Dong Tay, chairman of the Guangxi Writers Association, delegate to the 14th National People's Congress of China (March 2023-March 2028) and the Vietnamese guests are writer Bich Ngan and translator Le Chi.
Write well and share with each other
At the discussion, writer Dong Tay emphasized the role of literary exchange and cooperation. As a National Assembly delegate, he said he had made many proposals for the Chinese government to promote the development of cultural exchange between Vietnam and China.
When asked about the path to promote Chinese literature to the world , Dong Tay said: "Each writer only needs to write well, write truthfully about their own story, about the land and people where they were born and raised. At that time, the work itself will have a unique color.
For example, the literature of Guangxi, where I live, is very close to Vietnam, with many similarities in culture and customs. It is this closeness that creates deep sympathy from Vietnamese readers.
Writing is like cooking. When you cook a delicious dish, the aroma will spread to your neighbors. They are curious and want to taste it, and vice versa. That is also the spirit of cultural and literary exchange between countries. Writers should write well, write well, and share their works with each other."
From left to right: translator Le Chi, writer Dong Tay, writer Bich Ngan interact at the discussion - Photo: HO LAM
Writing about the past does not necessarily mean living in it.
Writer Bich Ngan asked about the opportunities and challenges he would face when he simultaneously takes on many roles - writing, teaching, and writing film scripts.
Dong Tay won the first Lu Xun literary award with the novel Life Without Language.
Mr. Dong Tay said:
"It is thanks to doing many jobs that I have gained more experience on the literary path. When I taught at Guangxi University for Nationalities, I understood what today's youth think and what their aspirations are.
When writing the script, I interacted with the art world and understood how they work.
Whatever you do, whatever you write, remember your mission: I am a writer, a storyteller, and an inspiration through words."
Answering writer Tram Huong's question about where to get material from when writing historical works, he emphasized:
"To write about the past, it is not necessary to be someone who lived in that time. What is important is that you read a lot, research carefully and use your imagination to recreate it.
I know there are many famous works written about war but the authors did not experience the war. The most important thing is to sympathize and be truly moved by what you want to write."
Attending the exchange between Dong Tay writers and Vietnamese readers, Deputy Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City Xu Zhou believes that Dong Tay's works will spread and leave a deep impression in the hearts of Vietnamese readers.
Writer Dong Tay (real name is Dien Dai Lam), born in 1966 in Guangxi. He is a famous contemporary Chinese writer and screenwriter. He won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2023 for the novel Echo , and the first Lu Xun Literature Prize for the novel Life Without Language .
Dong Tay's works have been translated into many languages such as: English, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek, Korean, Japanese, German, French, Czech, Danish, French... In Vietnam, he has published a number of books such as: Dream of a Changed Life, The Slap of Heaven, Regret, Echo...
Most of Dong Tay's works have been adapted into television series or feature films, and he also participated in writing screenplays adapted from his own literary works.
His novel Life Without Language was adapted into a television series called Lover in the Sky , which he wrote, and won the "Outstanding Artistic Contribution" award at the 15th Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2002.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/viet-van-giong-nhu-nau-an-mui-thom-mon-an-ngon-se-lan-sang-hang-xom-20250627203635749.htm
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