Japan kicks off Haiku poem contest for locals
The consulate general of Japan in HCMC, in conjunction with the HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) and Van nghe TPHCM (HCMC art) newspaper, is holding the 5th Haiku poem contest in Vietnamese for people of all ages nationwide.
Haiku poems are a short poetic form of Japanese uniqueness (of 17 syllables, 5-7-5, pauses in three sentences) and are over four centuries old as they developed in the first half of the Edo period (1603-1868) when poet Matsuo Basho described the natural world and traveled around Japan. Haiku poetry is now used in many countries like the US and China and elsewhere in Africa.
There are an increasing number of people in Vietnam loving Haiku poems. The biennial contest aims to create an experimental playground for culture and literature enthusiasts.
The form of a Haiku poem in Vietnamese language will consist of three sentences with an order of 5-7-5 syllables. A contestant is able to send only one entry to the contest whose theme is free.
The deadline for registration is September 30 and entries should be emailed to thithohaiku15@gmail.com or mailed to the address of the faculty of literature and linguistics of the USSH at 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in HCM City’s District 1. Results announcement and awards ceremony are expected in mid-December.
A judging panel consists of Associate Professor Doan Le Giang, head of the faculty of literature and linguistics of USSH, poet Phan Hoang, vice chairman of the HCM City Writers’ Association, and Dr. Nguyen Vu Quynh Nhu, Haiku scholar and a member of the Japan-based World Haiku Association.
The organizers and sponsor Ajinomoto Vietnam will grant one first prize, one second prize and ten consolation prizes. Poems which pass the qualifying round will be posted on http://www.hcmcgj.vn.emb-japan.go.jp, http://www.khoavanhoc-ngonngu.edu.vn.