VietNamNet Bridge – The French government is going to present its Officier des Arts et des Lettres (Literature and Art Medal) to famous Vietnamese poet and translator Duong Tuong on January 16 to record his contribution to enrich and advertise French culture and literature in Vietnam.

The Officier des Arts et des Lettres.

This medial was first presented in 1957 with three levels, Commandeur, Officier, and Chevalier. In 2007, writer Nguyen Huy Thiep received the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. The Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres was also presented to the late movie director Le Manh Thich, fashion designer Minh Hanh, and choreographer Nguyen Cong Nhac.

Duong Tuong has translated more than fifty book titles of various languages, including over twenty classic French books. “I love and have been close to French culture and literature since I was a boy. In cultural, literature work and in translation in particular, I love choosing difficult and challenging works in terms of linguistics and thinking,” the translator said.

Poet, translator Duong Tuong.

He said among the French novels that he has translated, he likes the following the most: The Flanders Road by the Nobel Laureate in Literature Claude Simon, Ring Roads and Missing Person by the Prix Goncourt winner.

Duong Tuong has many French friends. Last month he had a twenty day visit in France. He is translating Mort a Credit Novel by Celine for publishing this May.

(Source: VietNamNet/VNE)