(VNF) - Over the past 76 years, “Diary of a Cricket", written by To Hoai, has become a close friend of many generations of Vietnamese children. To mark its 76^th anniversary, an exhibition featuring illustrations of this Vietnamese children's story throughout the years will be held January 20^th to March 25^th in Hanoi.

Entitled “Diary of a Cricket – Touch the worlds”, the exhibition will bring the characters in the literature masterpiece by the late Vietnamese author To Hoai to life with 3D pop-up illustrations, figurines and original sketches.

The production team of the event has developed a collections of drafts, prints, illustrations of the story since its first publication. With these documents of To Hoai’s characters, the exhibition will be a link between the audiences’ feelings, childhood dreams and memories.

The exhibition presents illustrations of “Diary of a Cricket” by many generations of artists, including Ta Huy Long – main illustrator of Kim Dong Publishing House – a famous figure in the visual art scene in the northern regions of Vietnam as well as in the whole country; Ngo Manh Lan – illustrator for the Russian edition of “Diary of a Cricket”; Truong Qua – a famous name in the southern regions as well as one of the illustrators who designed the first editions of “Diary of a Cricket”; Thanh Chuong – an artist well-known for his works in the national and international art scene; Vu Xuan Hoan – an artist, art editor at Kim Dong Publishing House; and Dau Dua (Dau Thi Ngoc Vinh) – an artist born in 1992 with a lovely drawing style.

Cover of Diary of a Cricket by Ta Huy Long.

Also, on January 27^th, Ta Huy Long and other artists will have a discussion with the public on the journey of creating illustrations for “Diary of a Cricket”.

On weekends, there will be free watercolor paintings and paper art classes for kids (every Saturday night except during the Lunar New Year holiday), and a mini show of contemporary songs by young artists Hoang Dung, Tuan Phuong, Dang Tuan Phong, etc.

The exhibition will be held from Tuesday to Sunday every week at Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (B1 floor, R3, Vincom Megamall Royal city, 72 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi).

Diary Of a Cricket, 76 years after

Diary Of a Cricket by To Hoai is regarded as a classic children novel through many decades. It describes the adventures of a cricket who leaves his nest and travels to different places. He grows up and learns by overcoming difficult situations with the help of many different people and animals. Despite numerous difficulties on the road, the cricket with his friends is determined to fight against injustice in life.

The whole literature work is an innovative invention of the author through a process of meticulous observation and careful study of cricket life. To Hoai has used the stories of animals to debate raison d’etre of human being and convey a message for young people - to walk new paths, try new works, and build a happy life, rather than staying in a sullen society.

To Hoai at an event marking the 70^th anniversary of the publication of his masterpiece in 2012.

To Hoai (1920-2014) was a great, old tree” of the Vietnamese literary circle and children literature. His real name was Nguyen Sen while his pen name “To Hoai” originated from the first names of two famous places in Hanoi - the To Lich River and Hoai Duc District. He began the literature career by writing romantic poems but then found that it didn’t match him. His first short story was ‘Water rises’ written in realistic style and attracted public attention. In 1941, To Hoai wrote “Con de men” (A cricket), the first version of the story, for Tan Dan Publishing House, and then in 1942 he continued to write and released the work together as “De men phieu luu ky” (Diary of a Cricket), the version celebrated today.

At the age of 76, Cricket remains young as a friend of all Vietnamese children forever. He is brimming with thirst to explore new worlds and face new challenges. A cricket was initiated by To Hoai and adventured around the world to look for good things for human being not only in Vietnam but also in many other countries.

To Hoai has received many honours, including the Ho Chi Minh Award for Literature and Arts in 1996 and other literary accolades. In addition to Diary of a Cricket and A Phu and His Wife, To Hoai left a large legacy of over 100 works of different genres./.

VNF