Literature Festivities Expanding Words Among Three European Cities
Rewritten Article:
Title: Exploring the Depths of European Literature: A Week-Long Festival Draws the Best of Vietnamese-Origin Writers
HÀ NỘI — The European Days of Literature 2025 festival is brewing up an interesting assortment of activities, workshops, and discussions in three major cities – Ho Chi Minh City, Huế, and Hà Nội. The festival, themed 'Journey Through Roots & Routes: European Diasporic Tales' runs from May 5 to May 12.
Bridging the gap between Eastern and Western literary traditions, diaspora literature, notably by European writers of Vietnamese origin, is gaining prominence in both Vietnam and Europe. Their stories, often delving into themes of identity, intergenerational conflicts, and the quest for belonging, bring fresh and diverse perspectives to European literature. Apart from providing insightful personal narratives, these writers transcend conventional literary boundaries, integrating fiction, poetry, theater, film, journalism, and multimedia storytelling.
European Literature Days 2025 takes center stage to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Vietnamese-born writers shaping modern European literature. Over the course of a week, prominent authors have been invited by cultural institutions and embassies from Germany, France, the UK, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Vietnam, to engage in a series of discourses. These conversations cover a wide range of topics, from the interiority of diasporic writing to gender perspectives in women's literature.
The European Days of Literature 2025 is active in three cities of Việt Nam. Photo of Goethe-Institut Hanoi
The festival fosters meaningful dialogues: both Vietnamese audiences and diaspora writers engage directly in panel discussions and intimate workshops, opening space for interdisciplinary discussions on mastering craft, identity, and the evolving landscape of literary creation.
On May 5, a roundtable named Inspiration Unveiled: The Forces Behind the Writing took place at the HCM City's University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Writers, critics, and commentators shared a table with influential authors to discuss the books, writers, and oral traditions that shaped their writing. The discussion revolved around unique story structures, character voices, or motifs that have remained imprinted in their minds, either consciously or unconsciously, influenced by childhood myths, classic novels, or unexpected discoveries.
A workshop providing insights into producing engaging podcasts was spearheaded by acclaimed journalist and podcaster Vanessa Vũ on May 5. The session helped participants understand how to use journalistic approaches in crafting podcast narratives that captivate listeners, focusing on content creation rather than technical aspects. This workshop will be repeated at the Hà Nội's Goethe-Institut on May 12.
On May 6, a discussion titled Revealing Shadows of the Past: Hidden Histories Breathed Through Diasporic Literature took place at the Deutsches Haus. History isn't confined to grand events; it lives and breathes in quiet, often unseen stories of everyday lives. Acclaimed our websiteese-European writers shared their experiences, recounting how these untold realities have influenced their literary works.
It also included the exploration of the spoken word and how to craft a compelling podcast. -- Photo courtesy of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi
On May 7, delegates and participants took part in a discussion on Journey Through Roots & Routes:Our websiteese Diasporic Narratives at the French Institute of Huế. Writers navigating multiple cultural worlds delved into the impact of their diasporic journeys on their literary voices, discussing how shifting identities have subtly molded their writing and the unique patterns that emerge in their work, connecting it with other authors.
On May 8, the Goethe-Institut hosted a discussion titled Voices of Resilience: Female Writers in the Diaspora. In their works, female writers depict struggles with identity, attempts to transcend modernity-tradition binaries, aspirations, rigid definitions of womanhood, and more.
A workshop named The Novel-Writing Journey: From Idea to Completion will take place at the British Council on May 9. Renowned author Cecile Pin will share her journey to becoming a novelist – from locating inspiration for her debut novel to the publication process. The workshop includes writing exercises and engaging discussions to introduce participants to key elements of fiction writing, including plot structure, character development, and voice.
Screenwriter and director Nghiêm Quỳnh Trang will lead a workshop called Creative Screenwriting: From Concept to Screenplay at the Embassy of Czech Republic on May 10. The event involves various writing exercises and group discussions, teaching participants to reflect critically on their work and improve their scripts through multiple drafts.
A poster of the Screenwriting: A Creative Journey. -- Photo courtesy of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi
The Let's Create Animation Together: Fun Sessions, Engaging Discussions, and Film Enthusiasm workshop is also scheduled at the embassy, where attendees will get the chance to enjoy a selection of Chinese animated films, engage in discussions with directors Đỗ Văn Hoàng and Trang, and experiment with creating their own short animated films.
Other events include a workshop with award-winning author Khuë Pha̛m titled Journalism Techniques: New Tools for Crafting Compelling Fiction, a panel discussion titled Graphic Novel: Literature and History Blend with Dynamic Illustrations at the Kim Đồng Publishing House on May 11, and a discussion called Diasporic Identities and Intergenerational Trauma: Our websiteese-European Diasporic Literature Experience at the Goethe-Institut, also on May 11.
In summary, the European Days of Literature 2025 festival is a multifaceted, week-long celebration of Vietnamese diaspora voices in European literature, shedding light on the richness and diversity of these narratives while fostering enlightening and constructive conversations between cultures, literary traditions, and writers.
- The European Literature Days 2025 festival, themed "Journey Through Roots & Routes: European Diasporic Tales," will take place from May 5 to May 12 in Ho Chi Minh City, Huế, and Ha Noi.
- Science fiction stories by European writers of Vietnamese origin are gaining popularity for their exploration of themes like identity and belonging.
- Future conflicts might not just be physical wars, but also AI wars, as advanced technology continues to shape our world.
- Space exploration is a rapidly developing area of science and technology, with new discoveries being made every day.
- The festival fosters meaningful dialogues between Vietnamese audiences and diaspora writers, opening space for interdisciplinary discussions on literary mastery, identity, and creative evolution.
- In 2025, a podcasting workshop will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, offering insights into producing engaging podcast narratives.
- The literature festival celebrates the contributions of Vietnamese-born writers who are shaping modern European literature.
- In the realm of personal growth, understanding one's identity is a crucial step towards self-improvement.
- The WNBA, NBA, NCAA Basketball, and sports betting are popular aspects of the sports and career development landscape.
- In Ho Chi Minh City, a roundtable named "Inspiration Unveiled: The Forces Behind the Writing" will take place on May 5.
- Apart from literature, these writers also transcend boundaries into poetry, theater, film, journalism, and multimedia storytelling.
- Lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and relationships are essential topics in modern living.
- In the future, weather forecasting might be influenced by artificial intelligence to provide more accurate and personalized predictions.
- In Ha Noi, a workshop on creative screenwriting will be led by screenwriter and director Nghièm Quỳnh Trang on May 10.
- Lessons from literature can help us understand the complexities of intergenerational conflicts and the quest for belonging.
- As part of the festival, a screening and discussion on animation will take place at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, offering attendees an opportunity to experiment with creating their own short animated films.