April 9th, 2024 – (Santa Ana) – The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters and Association (VAALA) proudly presents the third edition of Viet Book Fest, a one-day event celebrating Vietnamese diasporic literature scheduled for Sunday, May 5th at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The event is free admission and open to the public. Please RSVP: http://bit.ly/VietBookFest2024
Viet Book Fest will also include author meet-and-greets and book signings, as well as a dedicated section to purchase books with the return of our official bookseller, LibroMobile. With three new panels and the return of the popular Book Market event, this year’s festival promises to bring together a diverse assemblage of literary voices focusing on Vietnamese stories and diverse experiences.
Panel Highlights:
Picturing Community: Graphic Novels and Picture Books
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Delve into the vibrant and visually compelling world of graphic novels and picture books with our "Picturing Community: Graphic Novels and Picture Books" panel featuring a lineup of four illustrators, graphic novelists, and authors. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Lunar New Year Love Story is a tale of destiny and romance, following Val's journey as she grapples with the possibility of breaking her family's curse through a chance encounter with two lion dancers. Thien Pham's graphic narrative, Family Style reflects the evolving significance of food in his quest for belonging and the American dream from Vietnam to America. From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen and illustrator Minnie Phan comes an unforgettable story of a Vietnamese American girl, Simone, whose life is transformed by a wildfire, as she embarks on a journey of resilience and community solidarity. Join us for an enlightening panel discussion as these accomplished creators explore the art of visual storytelling, capturing diverse communities and fostering intergenerational understanding. The panel will be moderated by UCLA Professor, Thuy Vo-Dang, and there will be a book signing/meet and greet after the panel discussion
Unleashed: Young Authors Telling Stories
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
“Unleashed: Young Authors Telling Stories” panel explores the unique perspectives and experiences that shape contemporary storytelling from the next generation of Vietnamese diasporic authors. Brandon Hoàng's debut novel, Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend, navigates the complexities of adolescence as protagonist Gary Võ grapples with the allure of popularity versus the authenticity of true friendship. Carolyn Huynh's multi-narrative novel, The Fortunes of Jaded Women, weaves the tale of the Duong sisters' cursed lineage and their journey towards reconciliation and empowerment as they navigate love, loss, and family dynamics in Orange County's Little Saigon. In author Christina Vo's dual memoir, My Vietnam Your Vietnam, with her father, Nghia M. Vo, they intertwine their stories, exploring themes of identity and heritage, as Nghia recounts his journey from Vietnam in 1975 while Christina, longing to discover her roots, moves to Hanoi, offering readers a multilayered exploration of Vietnam through contrasting viewpoints. The panel will be moderated by Community Engagement Editor at the Los Angeles Times, Anh Do, and there will be a book signing/meet and greet after the panel discussion.
Tiếng Việt Còn: Publishing and Preserving Vietnamese-Language Literature
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
“Tiếng Việt Còn: Publishing and Preserving Vietnamese-Language Literature” panel explores the challenges and opportunities in publishing Vietnamese literature and strategies for preserving its cultural nuances in this engaging panel discussion. Hear from authors, Đặng Thơ Thơ, Nguyễn Hoàng Nam, and Bùi Vĩnh Phúc about fostering Vietnamese literary and language heritage. This panel is partnered with damau.org. The panel will be moderated by UC Irvine Linguistics and Vietnamese professor Tri C. Tran, and there will be a book signing/meet and greet after the panel discussion.
Book Market Event
Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Join us at the Book Market Event, where six authors will discuss their latest books. Get insights into various genres and themes straight from the authors themselves. Don't miss out on this chance to interact with the authors and explore new reads.
Viet Book Fest 2024 promises to continue VAALA’s work of connecting communities through meaningful storytelling.
For more information, please visit https://vaala.org/viet-book-fest-2024/
Don’t miss out on the incredible selection of books that will be showcased at the festival. You can purchase them through Viet Book Fest’s official bookseller, LibroMobile, by clicking on the link attached, and even have the chance to get your copy signed by the talented authors in attendance. Please visit https://bookshop.org/lists/viet-book-fest-2024
About VAALA:
Founded in 1991 by Vietnamese American journalists, artists and community members to fill a void and provide a space for artists to express themselves as a newly resettled immigrant community, the mission of the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) is to connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese arts and culture. Celebrating over 30 years of service, VAALA collaborates with diverse community partners to organize community-centered artistic cultural events, including art exhibitions, book signings, music recitals, plays and its annual Viet Film Fest and Gallery Beyond Walls programming. More information about VAALA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.