New faces of Vietnamese literature introduced worldwide

“New voices from Vietnam” a US-Vietnam translation project will introduce short fictions by 19 young Vietnamese authors to foreign readers.

The entries represent a culture and aesthetic that differs radically from previous generations of Vietnamese writers, reflecting stories from a vibrant culture racing through changes wrought by rapid modernisation and globalisation.

The project, carried out by Charles Waugh, an American PhD in fiction writing, is among 16 others funded by the US National Endowment for the Arts, which aim to bring literary works from 14 nations and in 12 languages to the US audience.

US jazz quintet tours Viet Nam

The all-female New York jazz group Five Play will start a concert tour in HCM City tomorrow night, June 7, at the Hoa Binh Theatre.

On Saturday night, the five will play for workers at the Suoi Dau industrial zone in Khanh Hoa coastal province before getting on the stage at the Nha Trang Sea Festival in Nha Trang on Sunday.

They will head north for performances in Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa and Vinh cities.

The free-of-charge performances form part of cultural activities organised by the Consulate General of the United States in HCM City.

French singer to perform at jazz concert

Singer, guitarist and harmonicist Charles Pasi from Paris will play at a jazz concert at HCM City's Institute of Cultural Exchange with France on June 11.

Pasi, who started to play music at the age of 17 in a gospel choir, will perform songs from his album Uncaged released in 2011.

Born in 1984, the artist studied at the Saint Louis Jazz School in Rome, and the Jazz School CIM and the Atla School for contemporary music in Paris. He has taken part in many jazz and blues festival in the world.

The concert will begin at 8pm. Tickets are VND100,000 (VND50,000 for students) and are available at the venue, 28 Le Thanh Ton Street, in District 1.

Int’l Youth Festival opens in Binh Phuoc

The 2013 International Youth Festival opened in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on June 4.

The event has attracted 179 young delegates from 8 provinces, including Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Mondulkiri and Stung Treng (Cambodia); Champasak and Savannakhet (Laos) and Binh Phuoc (Vietnam).

In his opening speech, Nguyen Huy Phong, Vice Chairman of Binh Phuoc provincial People’s Committee, highlighted the three countries’ traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Many activities including seminars on youth, environment protection and national security, and visits to Dong Xoai town, Ba Ra tourism area, Ta Phiet historical relics and food festival will be held during the three-day festival.

Italian artist shows work at Decibel Lounge

An art exhibition called Cargo featuring HCM City's landscapes and lifestyle by Italian artist Barbara Pellizzari Anchisi began today at the Decibel Lounge in District 1.

The exhibition includes 10 works that use a combination of printmaking and tempera technique on Chinese paper.

Anchisi, who has worked as painting restorer and art teacher in Florence and China, moved to Viet Nam in 2009. She manages art projects at schools for street children in Binh Thanh Street.

The artist has had four solo exhibitions in China and Italy.

The exhibition opening begins at 7pm.

British, Australian comedians to perform

International comedians Stephen Grant and Steve Allison will present a stand-up comedy performance at the Cargo Bar in District 4 on June 18.

Grant, who is from the UK, won the comedy website Chortle's award for best host at a comedy venue in 2008 and 2011.

Allison is regarded by his industry peers as the best undiscovered comic in Australia. He has toured worldwide, including in New Zealand and South Africa.

Walk to learn more about Ha Noi

Join a city walk on Saturday to discover more about Hoan Kiem Lake and its surrounding area.

The English-speaking tour, organised by the Friends of Viet Nam Heritage (FVH), starts at 9.30am and finishes at 1pm. Participants will learn about the founding of the city, the French colonisation of the area, the history and legends of the lake, the old temples that stand by the lake and the major French architectural sights around the area.

The group will gather in front of the King Ly Thai To statue in the park at the corner of Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Lai streets. Cost: VND70,000. Limit: 20 people.

To register, contact Roman at FVH.CityWalks.English@gmail.com.

FVH is an informal group of foreigners living in Ha Noi who work voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage.

Entrance is VND200,000.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA