Hà Nội — A collection of Russian poems on the Soviet Union’s patriotic war from 1941-1945 entitled Wait for Me has been translated into Vietnamese to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution (1917-2017).

The collection includes 180 poems from 24 poets written during the years from 1941 to 1945 when the country was fighting Nazi Germany.

Two Vietnamese translators Nguyễn Huy Hoàng and Nguyễn Văn Minh have worked hard to collect the poems from prominent authors such as Konstantin Simonov, Olga Bergholz, Yevgeny Yevtushenko and others.

In 1947, Simonov’s Wait for Me was translated into Vietnamese by poet Tố Hữu. It immediately became popular, and held significance among Vietnamese people in the resistance war against the French.

The collection reflects the brutal reality of war through Russian characters and their inner feelings. It shows the tragedy of battle, but is also magnanimous and optimistic.

Lovers of Russian poetry will recognise many poems in this collection that have been set to music, not only in Russia but also in Việt Nam.

It is hoped that the collection will bring the Vietnamese an empathetic understanding and pride for the patriotic war of the Soviet people and Soviet literature.

The Wait for Me poem collection is hoped to act as a bridge between literature of the two countries to contribute to consolidating their close friendship. 

It will be launched in Hà Nội on November 3 at the 10th floor in 115 Trần Duy Hưng, Cầu Giấy District.

Those interested in Russia and especially Russian literature are invited to join the event.-- VNS