This year marked the 32nd anniversary of Vietnam - Venezuela diplomatic relations. The Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela organized special events, from a book launch to a cuisine gala, to introduce with Vietnamese history and culture. The major events took place from Nov. 4 to Nov. 14 at the 17th Venezuela International Book Fair, Caracas, capital city of Venezuela.

Venezuela's biggest book fair

FILVEN 2021 is Venezuela's most prominent cultural event of the year with more than 800 activities. FILVEN introduces famous literatures from both domestic and foreign publishers, as well as organizes forums and seminars between the public and famous writers and speakers.

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro invited Vietnam as the main guest to attend this year's FILVEN.

Vietnam is the main guest of Venezuela's biggest cultural event. Photo: Ultimas Notices

Starting Nov. 4, at the Venezuelan National Assembly Headquarter, Vietnam introduced much literature covering everything from history and politics to culture, economy, and society.

Vietnam book booth at FILVEN. Photo: Vietnamplus

All the works, whether in Vietnamese, English or Spanish, showed evidence of the similarities between Vietnam and Venezuela, particularly in terms of showing heroic resistance against invaders

Some of the books were "Vietnam in the Doi Moi process" by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; General Vo Nguyen Giap's "Historical Assignation", and Tran Dinh Van's "Life as he lives".

President Maduro welcomed Ambassador Le Viet Duyen and said: "The heroic country of Vietnam is a great example for the world. I hope FILVEN is a place for Venezuelan people to learn more about Vietnam and the friendship between Vietnam and Venezuela."

Ambassador Le Viet Duyen expressed his sincere gratitude that Venezuelans were interested in the history, culture and development of Vietnam. They discussed the need for more Vietnamese books to be translated into Spanish and vice versa.

The Vietnam culture display at the National Assembly Headquarters. Photo: Bao Quoc Te

The book fair welcomed many Vietnamese writers, speakers and publishers, such as Director of the Vietnam Institute of Literature, Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Dang Diep; President of Vietnam Writers Association, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu; Former Editor-in-Chief of World Publication, Dr. Tran Doan Lam; President of the Vietnam - Venezuela Friendship Association, Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao; and Former Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency, Mr. Le Duy Truyen. They were honorable guests at seminars, book launch and forums as well as festivals and shows.

Book Launched

Followed the opening ceremony, the Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela hosted a book launch for: "The development process of Vietnam's foreign relations policy with ASEAN 1986 - 2016".

Vietnam - Venezuela Representatives at the book launch event. Photo: Bao Quoc Te

The book focuses on the change in perspective Vietnam has carried out since 1986, with the renewal of foreign relations policy towards globalization and integration.

Working towards a socialist-oriented market economy, Vietnam strove to form and execute strategic relationships with ASEAN countries in the region.

The book highlighted flexible and realistic adjustments made according to changes in the environment and the situation in the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam was able to build partnerships with 30 countries in ASEAN, 5 of whom are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Vietnam contributes significantly to enhance the image and position of the region in the international arena.

Chairman of the Venezuela-Vietnam Friendship Association Carolus Wimmer said he was deeply impressed while Tatiana Moreno Pugh added that his term as Venezuelan Ambassador in Vietnam was a great example of Vietnam's foreign relations achievements.

Vietnam Culture - Cuisine Gala

On Nov. 6, the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela organized the Vietnam Culture - Cuisine Gala at the Simón Bolívar Theater, Caracas.

Venezuelans in Ao Dai performing a conical hat dance at the Gala. Photo: the Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela

Ambassador Le Viet Duyen delivered the opening speech at the Gala night to affirm the support Vietnam had for Venezuela as long as cooperation between the two countries continued to grow stronger.

Vietnam - Venezuela friendship is also making positive contributions to stability and development of the two regions, he said.

The Gala combined Vietnamese and Venezuelan culture including cuisines. Food and drinks we're catered by Espacio - the first Vietnamese restaurant in Caracas.

Seminars about Vietnamese culture

On Nov. 9, one of FILVEN main activities, a seminar about Vietnamese publication industry was held by the Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela.

Venezuelan guests at the seminar. Photo: Bao Quoc Te

The guests included Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Tatiana Moreno Pugh; Former Editor-in-Chief of World Publication, Dr. Tran Doan Lam; President of the Venezuela-Vietnam Friendship Association Carolus Wimmer; President of the Chamber of Commerce of Venezuela-Vietnam Oswaldo Hernandez.

Dr. Lam presented the overview of publication industry in Vietnam, from woodblock printing to the creation of the Nom script, as well as Vietnam's literature classics like Truyen Kieu ("The Tale of Kieu").

He emphasized that much of literature scripts were damaged during wartime and Vietnam worked hard to preserve the cultural heritage. One way to do so was to introduce Vietnamese literature to international readers.

Carolus Wimmer expressed desire to cooperate with World Publication to convey more Vietnamese books to Venezuelan readers. Other excellent ideas were submitted to the seminars.

On Nov. 10, the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela held a seminar on Vietnamese culture, themed "Ancestor Worship and Lunar New Year Rituals" in hybrid format (online and face-to-face).

The seminar is organized in hybrid format. Photo: Bao Quoc Te

Ambassador Le Viet Duyen described in detail the traditional beliefs, customs and rituals, which amazed Venezuelan friends.

Attending the event were Vice Minister of Culture of Venezuela Mary Pemjean; Vietnam - Venezuelan Ambassador Tatiana Moreno Pugh; former Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency; Vice Chairman of Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association, journalist Le Duy Truyen; President of the Venezuela-Vietnam Friendship Association Carolus Wimmer; Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Venezuela-Vietnam Alberto Burguer and many more.

The Embassy will continue with more programs and events in line with FILVEN activities until Nov. 14.

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