Promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and Finland

Finnish Literature Week not only introduces outstanding Finnish literary works but also contributes to promoting cultural dialogue and spreading reading culture in the community, especially among young readers.

On the afternoon of July 11, in Hanoi , the Embassy of Finland in Vietnam, Kim Dong Publishing House, and The Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content (ICBC) organized the opening ceremony of "Finnish Literature Week - Exhibition of Tove Jansson & Moomin 80."

Speaking at the program, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto said that the Finnish Embassy in Vietnam not only takes on diplomatic, political and commercial roles, but also always seeks cooperation opportunities to promote cultural exchange between Vietnam and Finland.

Ambassador Keijo Norvanto shared that art and culture, books and literature not only enrich spiritual life but also open up opportunities for each person to understand and feel deeply connected to each other.

Within the framework of “Finnish Literature Week,” along with many interesting activities such as reading books, screening movies, making crafts, painting..., Mr. Keijo Norvanto believes that everyone will have the opportunity to "step into the rich and creative world " of Finnish literature through 3 outstanding works: The Moomin series by Tove Jansson, "Hello Ruby" by Linda Liukas and "The Last Mermaid - Echoes from the Legend of the Ocean" by Iida Turpeinen.

The Embassy of Finland in Vietnam, Kim Dong Publishing House and The Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content (ICBC) hope that this special week will bring readers, especially Vietnamese children and families, the opportunity to explore the uniqueness, profound philosophy and emotional depth of Finnish storytelling.

The program not only aims to introduce outstanding Finnish literary works but also contributes to promoting cultural dialogue and spreading reading culture in the community, especially among young readers.

According to the Organizing Committee, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of the first Moomin work by author Tove Jansson - a timeless and iconic artistic heritage of Northern Europe. The Moomin series includes 9 classic novels such as: "The Moomins and the Great Flood" (1945), "Comet in Moominland" (1946), "Finn Family Moomintroll" (1948) or "Moominvalley in November" (1970)... Each work is a small world containing profound lessons about maturity, loneliness, family love and the desire to find a home.

In Vietnam, the first book by writer Tove Jansson “The Witch’s Hat” was introduced to readers by Kim Dong Publishing House in 2010. Up to now, all nine of Tove Jansson’s unique, poetic and humane Moomin works have been published by Kim Dong Publishing House and introduced to Vietnamese readers through eight books: “The Witch’s Hat,” “The Invisible Child,” “The Mumis at Sea,” “Mysterious Winter,” “Mumi and the Comet,” “The Dangerous Solstice,” “The Exciting Adventures of Mumi Dad” and “November in Mumi Valley” translated by Vo Xuan Que and edited by Dr. Bui Viet Hoa.

Children participate in drawing at the Program. (Photo: VNA)

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin work, for the first time in Vietnam, readers of all ages have the opportunity to explore the life of Tove Jansson and the world of Moomin in an engaging and lively way through impressive exhibitions and a series of educational and creative artistic activities for all ages.

This is an experience that helps Vietnamese readers, especially children, access Finland's timeless literary heritage, nurture humanistic values ​​and develop a love for literature.

Moomin 80 events take place globally under the theme “The Door Is Always Open” to spread a humane message of openness, acceptance and hospitality in the Moomin world.

The “open door” is a familiar image in every house in Moomin Valley, a place where everyone can come in, be heard, be themselves and be accepted with all their differences. In this world, love, care, imagination and freedom are always present.

The theme of the Moomin 80 celebrations is not only to celebrate a tolerant lifestyle, but also to invite all generations to step into the door of imagination, where children can discover themselves and adults can rediscover the gentleness that has "fallen asleep."

“Finnish Literature Week - Exhibition of Tove Jansson & Moomin 80” with a series of activities such as art exhibitions, creative readings, book launches will take place from July 12-20, 2025 on the 3rd floor of Kim Dong Publishing House (55 Quang Trung, Hai Ba Trung Ward, Hanoi). All activities taking place within the framework of the program “Finnish Literature Week - Exhibition of Tove Jansson & Moomin 80” are free of charge.

Within the framework of the week, there will be activities such as "Reading Moomin books with Ms. Teija Norvanto, wife of the Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam" on the afternoon of July 11; reading the book "Hello Ruby - Exploring the Internet World" (morning of July 12); reading the book "The Thrilling Adventures of Dad Mum" (morning of July 13); reading the book "The Sorcerer's Hat" and making a Moomin house by hand (afternoon of July 13, 2025); reading the book "Mumi's Family at Sea" (morning of July 19); launching the book "The Last Mermaid - Echoes from the Legend of the Ocean," author Iida Turpeinen (afternoon of July 19)...

In addition, during the week, the Organizing Committee designed an experience program specifically for the tour of Kindergartens and Primary Schools with interesting and humane educational and reading promotion activities to help young readers explore the characters and stories in the Moomin world in a complete and creative way./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thuc-day-giao-luu-van-hoa-giua-viet-nam-va-phan-lan-post1049220.vnp