Hoang Phong Ha, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Publishing Association, briefly sums up the award at the awarding ceremony. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Hanoi (VNA) - The National Book Award 2021 saw the participation of more books than the previous year with increased quality, especially in the categories of children's bôks and monographs.
Although the publishing industry in the past year has been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the National Book Award 2021 still gathered good works. The number of books participating was higher than the previous year. There were outstanding quality works in many fields such as children's books, monographs, and translated literature.
Hoang Phong Ha, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Publishing Association and Member of the Council of the National Book Award 2021, shared information at a press conference on November 10.
Quality of children's books improved
In the context of the epidemic causing great difficulties for the publishing industry, many units still sent books to compete for the award. The number of books participating this year was more than last year. Specifically, the Judging Council received 284 book titles and collections (including 365 books) from 47 publishers, including translated books and books by domestic authors.
Mr. Hoang Phong Ha said that this year, the number and quality of children's books by Vietnamese authors increased significantly, proving that more and more authors are interested and invested in this field of literature.
“I think that is a good sign because for many years we have seen that Vietnam has few quality works for children. The A and B prizes of this year's National Book Awards were given to children's books. Several of these are books copyrighted by overseas publishers for translation and distribution, such as the book "The Story of the Mem and Kya Brothers" by writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, which is about to be published in the Republic of Korea,” said Ha.
An overview of the press briefing on the National Book Award on November 10. (Photo: Vietnamplus) According to Le Hoang, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Publishing Association and member of the judgement council of children's books: "The works have diverse content, convey messages about patriotism, people, and animal protection which were expressed in different forms: novels, collections of short stories, paintings."
Le Hoang said he believes that books in this area will encourage a love for family, homeland, country and nature among young readers. Thereby, they know to respect the value of equality and social justice.
"The effect of the National Book Award will partly help people pay attention to and seek to read the winning works. The selection of books targeting children and young people will contribute to spreading the love of reading and developing broader reading culture," he said.
Careful judgement
This year's Book Awards continues to have some adjustments and innovations, especially focusing on consolidating and adding new members who are prestigious scientists and researchers, including some young scientists in the Preliminary and Final Examination Council, who come from various regions across the country.
The award winning book "The Story of the Mem and Kya Brothers" by writer Nguyen Quang Thieu. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)
Hoang Phong Ha said: “The judging results of the specialized subcommittees showed that the nominated books all ensure the quality of content and form. "
Nguyen Nguyen, Director of the Department of Publication, Printing and Distribution, talks about the organization of the award. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnamplus) "Books nominated for A prize were reviewed by independent experts. These are works of high value in terms of content and form, and have been granted copyright in accordance with regulations,” according to Nguyen Nguyen.
Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Dang Diep, Director of the Institute of Literature, and a former member of the National Book Award Council in previous years, affirmed that this year, the organization of the judgment is more orderly and methodical. Leading experts invited to participate in the Judging Councils are all famous scientists who give careful comments on the award winning books.
This is the third year that Professor and People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh has joined the National Book Award Council. Ninh said he saw that critics and experts all have serious comments and have careful comparisons between books in the same field to reach a final decision./.
