Hanoi (VNA)ꦗ - Taking place from October 14-22, the “Ehon Week” includes a series of book introductions and reading activities for children and parents.

At the press conference on October 14, Kamitani Naoko, First Secretary, Head of the Press and Culture Department, Embassy of Japan to Vietnam, said the event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - 2023). Kamitani Naoko said "Ehon" are short stories with illustrations for preschool children or children under 10 years old. Ehon is known as "food that nourishes children's souls." “Ehon is very popular among Japanese children. The conversation process between parents and children while reading Ehon together stimulates creativity and emotional connection and therefore evokes wonderful emotions. For me personally, Ehon has opened up a new and interesting world, so I am very grateful for the values that Ehon brings. Now, I want to share those things with Vietnamese children," said Kamitani Naoko. According to organisers, building a reading generation requires a lot of time, effort, persistence and consensus of society. Therefore, reading books to children from an early age is necessary. This is also the goal of the Ehon Book Week. From October 14 to 22, the display of 100 Ehon comics including original Japanese and Vietnamese translation will take place at the Japanese Embassy in Van Phuc Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The exhibition of 100 Ehon books of different ages is expected to help readers have a clear comparison and gain perspective on the world of children's books. The event also encourages children to read books and parents to pay attention to choosing and reading books with their children. An exhibition of original illustrations in the two storybooks "Cosette the Sparrow" and "The Snail's Sorrow" by Japanese artist Yasumasa Suzuki will take place from October 14-18 at the Japan Cultural Exchange Center at No. 27 Quang Trung street, Hanoi. At the event, readers also have the opportunity to interact with artist Yasumasa Suzuki. "The Snail's Sorrow" is a famous Ehon book mentioned in the book "Building Bridge" by Japanese Empress Michiko (mother of current Emperor Naruhito). Sadness is expressed in the bright colors on the snails' shells through the artist's talented drawings, which will help readers gain more perspective on "sadness." Within the framework of book week there will also be many interesting activities including reading books for preschool children, workshops for children, interacting with Japanese Ehon comic book author Hideko Nagano and Vietnamese author Pham Thi Hoai Anh. A book fair will also take place on October 20 at Du Parc Hanoi Hotel at 84 Tran Nhan Tong street, Hanoi. Readers will also have the opportunity to receive free Ehon books when attending events during book week./.