The Danish Writers Association and Kim Dong Publishing House launched a writing-for-children campaign in Hanoi on December 17.

The 2013-2015 campaign is in the framework of a Vietnam-Denmark project on fostering literature for children, while honouring authors and illustrators who have devoted their lives to the development of Vietnam’s literature for children.

Participants in this term’s campaign can submit stories under the theme “Go cua trai tim” (Knocking on the heart’s door) for those from 10-14 years old and cartoons themed “Ngay toi gap... (The day I met...), for children aged 3-6 years old.

The organising board will receive entries until April 30, 2015, and has raised the value of the first prize to 20-25 million VND (1,175 USD) to encourage Vietnamese writers and artists around the world to create outstanding works for children.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen said that since its establishment in 2006, the Children’s Literature programme has organised a range of activities to support the development of literature for children in Vietnam.

During the 2012-2013 term, 12 readers clubs have been set up, five story-telling trains were organised for children in remote areas, and numerous seminars were held for authors nationwide to share their experiences in the field, he added.

The writing contest last year under the themes “Overcoming scares” and “Homeland’s festivals” drew more than 300 entries.

The ambassador voiced his pleasure that the new campaign will continue providing activities to help Vietnamese children access more books and stories.

Denmark is well-known among Vietnamese children for a string of fairytales. Works by renowned writer Hans Christian Andersen such as “The Little Mermaid”, “The Emperor’s new clothes” and “The Snow Queen” are attached to the childhoods of children across the country.-VNA