Award-winning translator Nguyễn Bình flies in from Seattle to discuss how The Tale of Kiều became a cornerstone in Vietnamese literature.  In the late 18th century, Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Du wrote A New Cry of Heart-Rending Pain, a novel-in-verse loosely adapted from a Ming Chinese romance about the life of a sex worker. Despite Du's hesitance, his friends went ahead to introduce the poem to the public, teaching it to their pupils as a new standard in poetry. After Du died in 1820, the poem became a classic, enjoyed even by illiterate commoners who renamed it simply as The Tale of Kiều—the name by which it is known today—and integrated it into many aspects of their cultural lives, from folk singing to clairvoyance. Nowadays, The Tale of Kiều is a centerpiece of medieval Vietnamese literature; its influences can be felt anywhere and at any time in the Vietnamese language.  How exactly did this happen? How did a poem written in secrecy by a singular author become so famous? Using oral anecdotes and textual comments, Nguyễn Bình will discuss the historical reception of The Tale of Kiều, along with the impact that it has had in Vietnamese society and culture. We will also discuss aspects of the poem that could have made it so memorable and beloved among commoners, to the point that they overwrote the author to solidify their own interpretations of the poem itself.  The Tale of Kiều by Nguyễn Du is a timeless poetic masterpiece, revered as one of the greatest classics in Vietnamese literature. Through Thuý Kiều's years of wandering as a woman in 16th-century China, the epic delves into the complexities of human nature, gender, and sexuality. Nguyễn Bình is a writer native to Hanoi, Vietnam. Bình is the author of essays and poems in both Vietnamese and English, many of which have been published in magazines and anthologies in Vietnam and the United States. Currently, Bình is writing a novel, and completing the first Vietnamese translation of Vergil’s Aeneid. They graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2023 with a BSc in Astronomy and BA in Linguistics, and are currently a PhD student in Astronomy at the University of Washington. Getting thereBurley Fisher is situated on 400 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AA. The closest Overground stations are Haggerston and Dalston Junction (2 minute walk). Several bus routes stop nearby, including the 67, 76, 149, 243, and 488, which all serve Kingsland Road. Street parking is limited in the area, and restrictions may apply—public transport is recommended. If you do drive, please check local parking apps or signage for the latest information. AccessibilityBurley Fisher is wheelchair accessible, although they do not have an accessible toilet.

Information Source: Major Books | eventbrite

Camden County

United States

Kingsland

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