Vietnamese Author Moved by Reader Engagement in Sweden

Vietnamese author Nguyen Nhat Anh has expressed deep emotion after interacting with readers at a book launch event in Sweden, highlighting the warm reception he received abroad. In late August, Nguyen participated in several book introduction events in Stockholm, coinciding with the Swedish release of his children's book, "Two Cats Sitting by the Window." The work was translated by Hien Ekeroth, published by Barnens Val, and features illustrations by Do Hoang Tuong. The author's talks took place at various venues, including the People's University's Literacy Association, Tranströmer Library, Stockholm International Library, and Gamla Stans bookstore. Nguyen noted that seeing both Vietnamese and Swedish readers attend made him feel "warm, as if I were back home, immersed in the familiar atmosphere of reader gatherings at schools or book fairs." He also appreciated the publisher Barnens Val's warm welcome, which included a video with a self-composed song introducing the book, with lyrics translated into Vietnamese. Nguyen stated that the affection from readers, both domestic and international, fuels his passion for writing. He recalled an event in Thailand where readers queued orderly for his autograph and seeing a Thai reader carefully examining his book "Give Me a Ticket to Childhood" at the airport, which filled him with pride. Christina Wahlden, a board member of IBBY Sweden (International Board on Books for Young People), described the event as a special meeting, marking the first time Nguyen's stories could be read in Swedish. She recognized him as one of Vietnam's most beloved authors, whose stories have shaped generations of children. Wahlden was moved by a reader who drove for many hours from Landskrona to attend, remarking that the atmosphere was "no different from meeting a rock star." A reader named Lim commented on the organizing body's fan page that the book was "warm, charming, and philosophically rich" in its exploration of inequality and solidarity. Nguyen also met with Tran Van Tuan, Vietnam's Ambassador to Sweden, presenting him with a signed copy of his book. Nguyen Nhat Anh's works have been translated into English, Korean, Japanese, and Thai. Notable titles include "Blink of an Eye" (Japanese edition, 2004), "Give Me a Ticket to Childhood" (Thai edition, 2011; Korean edition, 2013; English edition, 2014; Japanese edition, 2020), "I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass" (Japanese edition, 2017; English edition, 2018), and "Walking Through the Daisies" (Japanese edition, 2020). "Two Cats Sitting by the Window," published in 2012, is one of his best-selling stories. It narrates the love story between the cat Gấu and the cat Áo Hoa, alongside the touching friendship between Gấu and the mouse Tí Hon. The narrative is told with the innocence and purity characteristic of children's literature. The book, over 200 pages long, includes 67 illustrations by Do Hoang Tuong and several poems. Nguyen Nhat Anh, 71, hails from Thang Binh, Quang Nam. He moved south in 1973, studied education, and graduated in 1976. Besides poetry collections, comic books, and film scripts, he has published over 100 prose works for teenagers and children. He has also authored sports commentary and relationship advice books under various pseudonyms, recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records as the author with the most works for young adults.