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From books to love of Russian culture

At 87 years old, Thuy Toan, whose real name is Hoang Thuy Toan, has authored over 60 works that include translations, edits, and original writings. His career started in the 1950s when he was among the first 100 Vietnamese students sent to study in the Soviet Union. Upon his graduation from the Faculty of Philology at the V.I. Lenin Moscow State Pedagogical University in 1961, he returned to the homeland and embarked on a long-running and fervent engagement with Russian literature.

Translator Thuy Toan. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Thuy Toan's initial encounter with Russia was through its literature. He recalls that while studying at the Viet Bac resistance base, musician Pham Tuyen introduced him to Ilya Ehrenburg's "Time is with Us". The book's straightforward yet evocative portrayal of Russia kindled a profound fondness for the country in Thuy Toan. Upon his arrival in Russia, he discovered not just a resemblance in the landscape but also experienced the richness of a culture imbued with humaneness.

"In the Soviet Union, I had the chance to experience the warmth and genuineness of the common folk. Once, while dining at a communal restaurant, a teacher kindly corrected my posture. And a janitor, formerly a wartime medic, took me under her wing. Her life stories profoundly touched me," he recounted.

Translations of Pushkin works: Love and Pride

Over six decades of translating, Thuy Toan has become most renowned for his translations of Pushkin, the esteemed Russian poet. Yet, the path to translating Pushkin's poetry was far from simple. It took him 30 years to finalize the translation of the poem "Winter Morning."

"One winter morning in 1957, my teacher took me and my friends to the outskirts of Moscow. In the midst of the endless white snow scene, the teacher read the poem "Winter Morning" with an emotional voice. That same evening, I started looking up the dictionary to translate the poem but could only translate one sentence: "Ice and sun, beautiful day". Finding words to convey the true spirit of Pushkin was a big challenge and it took me 30 years to complete this translation", said Thuy Toan.

Translator Thuy Toan learned the poem "I loved you" by the renowned poet Pushkin during his initial studies in Russia, where he met his girlfriend, who would later become his wife and has been his companion ever since. (Photo: Sputnik)

While Thuy Toan may not have translated the most Pushkin poems, his versions are cherished for their fluid style, skillfully balancing fidelity to the original with accessibility for Vietnamese readers. Her rendition of "I loved you" stands as a prime example, being one of the most celebrated translations of Pushkin's work and a part of Vietnam's Literature curriculum for students.

"I love you: Until now, perhaps

The flame of love has not yet faded..."

Thuy Toan stated, "The original text does not contain the word 'flame'; instead, it uses the verb 'to fade,' suggesting a conclusion. I opted for a more creative translation, introducing 'the flame of love' to bring warmth to the poem and make it more relatable to Vietnamese readers."

The translation of the poem was deeply intertwined with Thuy Toan's own love story. He shared, "During the translation, I had feelings for a colleague in my Russian class. I found that the sentiments Pushkin conveyed in the poem mirrored my own experience of unrequited love. I had my dignity. It was Pushkin who instilled in me that sense of self-worth and pride. I infused each word with my emotions. Love enabled me to embrace the splendor in Pushkin's verses and the dignity and esteem that the poet advocated."

Thuy Toan also discussed with Olga Ulyanova, Lenin's niece, to complete the translations of Pushkin's poems. Years of working with Russian writers and translators have helped him gain a deeper understanding of Russian culture and literature, and at the same time authentically convey the spirit of these works to Vietnamese readers.

The builder of the Vietnam - Russia cultural bridge

From his student years, Thuy Toan has sent his poetry translations to newspapers like Thieu Nien Tien Phong, Giao Duc, and Van Nghe, which swiftly made him well-known in the Vietnamese translation community. He has had the chance to cooperate with esteemed poets such as Xuan Dieu, Te Hanh, and Xuan Sanh. Thuy Toan was invited to contribute to the translation of poet Xuan Sanh's inaugural Soviet poetry collection in 1962.

A glimpse into the Russian Literature Memorial House, established by the translator Thuy Toan in the city of Tu Son, Bac Ninh province. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Beyond Pushkin's poetry, Thuy Toan has also brought Russian literature to Vietnamese audiences through the works of renowned writers and poets like Dostoevsky, Lermontov, Yesenin, Rasul Gamzatov, Ivan Bunin, and others.

In 1991, amidst Russia's significant political and economic upheavals, Thuy Toan funded the publication of the poetry collection "My Homeland Russia" to express his profound gratitude towards the nation and its citizens.

"That's my way of reassuring myself that I have truly understood and appreciated Russia for what it is. I also wish for everyone else to comprehend and cherish these aspects," he said.

Thuy Toan has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Russian culture in Vietnam. In 2015, he founded the Russian Literature Memorial House in Phu Luu village, Tu Son city, Bac Ninh province. The memorial house exhibits over 3,000 artifacts that chronicle the cultural ties and diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia across various eras. His aspiration is for it to serve not merely as a repository of historical relics but as a vibrant cultural hub that enriches Vietnamese youth's understanding of the longstanding camaraderie between the two nations.

In 2010, his relentless dedication was acknowledged when he received the Friendship Medal from the then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. This honor is bestowed upon individuals who have dedicated their lives to fostering cultural ties between Vietnam and Russia.

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