HCM CITY — An event to introduce classical and contemporary Russian literature through Vietnamese was held at the HCM City Book Pedestrian Street on Saturday.

The event, organised by the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Hà Nội and the Phụ Nữ (Women) Publishing House, was also aimed at popularising Russian culture.

There were dozens of classical works by great Russian littérateurs like Lev Tolstoy, Sergey yesenin and Valentin Rasputin as well as contemporary novels by writers like Alexei Varlamov and Maria Metlitskaya.

Alexey Popov, the Russian consul general in the city, said Vietnamese are familiar with classic Russian literature, especially those who know Russian, but contemporary works are also popular.  

The publication of these works would promote cultural exchanges between the two countries, he said.

The publication of the books is part of a long-term project to translate Russian literature into Vietnamese and vice versa.

It is being done by the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Hà Nội, the Việt Nam-Russia Literature Fund and well-known Vietnamese translators since 2012.

So far more than 40 works have been translated by people like Phạm Xuân Loan, Hoàng Thúy Toàn and Thụy Anh, who have made great contributions to translating Russian literary works into Vietnamese.

They include classic and contemporary works and children’s books, and have been printed by major publishers like Trẻ, Kim Đồng and Phụ Nữ.

Loan said: “Russian literature has a lasting vitality in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. It will contribute to developing a partnership between Russia and Việt Nam.”

She began translating Russian works in 2006.

Her popular works include contemporary novels Ra Đời (Birth) by Alexei Varlamov and Nhật Ký Mẹ Chồng (Diary of a Mother-in-law) by Maria Metlitskaya, and children’s book Nhật Ký Chó Fox Mikki (The Diary of Fox Terrier Named Mikki) by Sasha Chernyi.

The Russian books are available at stores and online in the country. — VNS