Literary critic, cultural researcher, translator Phan Hong Giang and the remaining literary pages

Mr. Phan Hong Giang is the second son of the famous critic Hoai Thanh. He is the husband of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong Ngát, a famous poetess of contemporary poetry, also an excellent screenwriter, she is the former Director of Vietnam Feature Film Studio, Director of the Cinema Department.

Researcher Phan Hong Giang and his wife, poet Nguyen Thi Hong Ngát. Photo: facebook Nguyen Thi Hong Ngát

Mr. Phan Hong Giang's research career and contributions have truly earned the respect of many people. He was born in 1941, studied Russian at Hanoi University of Foreign Languages, then studied at the Faculty of Literature, Moscow State University, Russia. He has held important positions such as Director of the National Institute for Cultural and Artistic Research, Principal of Nguyen Du Writing School...

As a literary critic, he has many books that have attracted readers' attention such as "Notes on authors and works", "Around some cultural and artistic issues". These works brought him the State Prize for literature and art in 2012.

As a cultural researcher, he has been very excellent in translating many famous works of Russian literature to Vietnamese readers. For example, "Chekhov's short stories", stories by writer Bunin such as "Light Breath", "Sunstroke", essay "My Daghestan" by Rasul Gamzatov, essay "Alone with Autumn" by Paustovsky, story "Scarlet Sails" by Aleksandr Gin... For those who love Russian literature, these are extremely familiar and intimate works, not only to the previous generation but also to the current young generation. Through his translations, with fresh and careful translation language, the country, culture and literature of Russia come closer to the Vietnamese people. Thus, his contribution is truly enormous in the role of promoting and introducing culture.

One of the books that translator Phan Hong Giang has translated.

Before the passing of researcher Phan Hong Giang, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Tuan Anh - also an expert on Russian literature wrote: "A learned Russian scholar has passed away. The Russian scholars' team is getting thinner and thinner." Associate Professor, Dr. Do Hai Phong - Head of the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi National University of Education, also an expert on Russian literature, shared: "I grew up on the pages of Phan Hong Giang's translations of Chekhov, Bunin, Gamzatov... When I returned to Vietnam and did in-depth research on Russian literature, I read more of Phan Hong Giang's refined writings in the book "Notes on Authors and Works". I liked his calm, meticulous writing style down to every detail. The few times I met him at the thesis defenses on Russian literature, I called him "teacher", respected his remarkable knowledge and was especially impressed by his ability to speak concisely (which is not the strength of most Russian scholars), his sharp and refined language...".

Researcher Phan Hong Giang has passed away, but his writings remain. Those who love literature, especially Russian literature, will forever remember his sublime and responsible translations. Evaluating his contributions, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu - Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association wrote: "A profound knowledge, a logical and exploratory mindset, a fresh perspective and a scientific working attitude have created the character of a scholar of Dr. Phan Hong Giang. His research articles are both academic and contemporary and full of predictions...".