Icon of Chilean children's literature comes to Vietnam

Chilean classic children's book “Papelucho”.

The series was jointly produced by the VietnamEducation Publishing House, the Chilean Embassy, and published by Phuong Nam Education Investment and Development Joint Stock Company. This is also the first Chilean children's literature series to be translated and published in Vietnam. The launch of the series is part of the cultural cooperation between the two countries, following the success of the launch of the first translation in December 2024.

“Papelucho” consists of 12 episodes, telling everyday stories from the innocent and delicate perspective of an 8-year-old Chilean boy – imaginative, humorous, mischievous but profound and emotional. He records all his thoughts, experiences and secrets in a diary, from which he forms a classic children's literature work, loved in Chile and many other countries.

Displaying the first three volumes of the series released in Vietnam.

Author Marcela Paz has created a character who is not idealistic but real like any other child in real life - knows how to be angry, knows how to argue, but always longs to be loved and understood.

The special feature of “Papelucho” is the diary format – close, easy to read, inspiring children to write their own stories.

The series has a lively, natural and unimposing writing style, is approachable and gives readers the feeling of reading the diary of a real 8-year-old child.

Mr. Sergio Narea Guzman - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chile to Vietnam said that the series "Papelucho" is the greatest classic work of Chilean children's literature.

Marcela Paz is the pen name of writer Esther Huneeus, she wrote her first children's book in the 30s, in the form of a diary, putting children's feelings first. And just 10 years later, in 1947, thanks to a literary competition, the book was published. The book has been reprinted many times since then because of its freshness in expression.

“Young readers can relate to the language and emotions of this unique character. The book is not dogmatic and is not intended to educate children like a textbook. It is essentially a children's novel, revealing the inner nature of the children, giving the impression of a real-life diary,” said the Ambassador.

The covers of the books were displayed at the book launch.

Ambassador Sergio Narea Guzman said that the character of Papelucho is an 8-year-old boy with spiky hair, a slim body with big teeth and a bit different from the typical model child: critical and self-questioning, cheerful and optimistic, who always protects his siblings and friends, and writes his experiences and thoughts in a diary. This boy makes us laugh and also makes us reflect on good and bad attitudes in society.

Papelucho – a boy with a rich imagination, a sensitive soul and a humorous way of speaking – has become a childhood icon in the hearts of many generations of Chilean readers.

Bringing this series closer to Vietnamese readers, especially children, not only helps them access a rich cultural treasure, but also opens up opportunities for them to explore , empathize and develop their thinking through simple yet profound stories.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, General Director of Vietnam Education Publishing House.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, General Director of Vietnam Education Publishing House, said that the book series translated and published in Vietnam is the result of a positive and goodwill cooperation journey between Vietnam Education Publishing House, the Embassy of Chile in Vietnam, and the companionship of Phuong Nam Education Investment and Development Joint Stock Company - the official publisher of the book series.

“Vietnam Education Publishing House, with nearly 70 years of accompanying the national education cause, always puts the mission of spreading knowledge and nurturing the personality of the young generation first. Introducing Papelucho to young Vietnamese readers not only aims to enrich the children's bookshelf, but also demonstrates a new direction in the product internationalization strategy, bringing Vietnamese readers closer to the cultural quintessence of humanity”, affirmed the General Director of Vietnam Education Publishing House.

General Director of Vietnam Education Publishing House Nguyen Tien Thanh presented flowers and souvenirs to Chilean Ambassador Sergio Narea Guzman.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh also believes that in the era of integration, children's literature is no longer a linguistic or geographical border - but a place that connects young hearts, nurtures innocent dreams and arouses humanistic thoughts.

Papelucho – with its diary format and vivid characters – will be a valuable companion to Vietnamese students, inspiring them to write their own stories.

Poet Tran Dang Khoa, Vice President of the Vietnam Writers Association , shared at the launch that this is a meaningful connection between the Embassy of Chile and the Vietnam Education Publishing House, starting with an extremely famous work - Papelucho.

This book series was published in the 1940s of the last century, but until now, it still retains its appeal and freshness in every word - as if the author had just written it not long ago. That is truly a wonderful thing.

Poet Tran Dang Khoa believes that writing for children is one of the biggest challenges for writers, because writers not only need to understand children but also empathize with adults.

“A true children's book is one that both children and adults can enjoy reading. Because in every child there is an adult in the making, and in every adult there is a child who never grows old. Papelucho is such a book, innocent, pure, profound and full of humanity,” he said.

That is why the book has become a part of the childhood memories of many generations of Chilean readers, and today, will begin its journey to young Vietnamese readers.

According to LINH KHANH (Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/icon-of-children's-literature-from-chile-to-viet-nam-a423098.html