Many cultural activities have been held in the central province of Ha Tinh, the hometown of great Vietnamese poet Nguyen Du (1765–1820) who is the author of the Vietnamese masterpiece, Truyen Kieu (the Tales of Kieu), to celebrate his 255th birth anniversary and 200^th death anniversary.

On September 25, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province coordinated with the Viet Nam Association of Kieu Studies to organise a scientific seminar entitled "Vietnamese Language in Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu).”

The seminar was attended by professor Phong Le, President of the Viet Nam Association of Kieu Studies, poet Tran Dang Khoa, Vice President of Vietnam Writers Association, together with representatives of Ha Tinh province.

Speaking at the ceremony, professor Le affirmed that the seminar aimed to honour and pay tribute to great poet Nguyen Du, who brought the value of the Vietnamese language to a high level that no other authors have ever been capable of.

Over hundreds of years, the beauty and vitality of the Vietnamese language in the Tale of Kieu had shone more and more brilliant, he stressed.

The seminar also introduced 48 presentations, each of which is a way to deepen and concretise the vitality and the beauty of the Vietnamese language in the Tale of Kieu.

Results of new studies on the Tale of Kieu from a linguistic perspective were also announced, which contribute to the accuracy of the study, translation and promotion of the epic poem.

“The seminar affirms the value and longevity of the masterpiece the Tale of Kieu, in addition to honouring Nguyen Du's significant role in promoting the beauty of the Vietnamese language in creating the masterpiece and therefore helping to promote and preserve the values of the Vietnamese language,” noted Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province Dang Quoc Vinh.

On this occasion, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province launched the Nguyen Du Heritage Conservation and Promotion Fund.

An exhibition featuring paintings, publications related to masterpiece the Tale of Kieu and the literary legacy of the great author is also taking place at his memorial area located in Tien Dien town, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province.

Administrators of Ha Tinh province and tourists contemplate oil paintings at the exhibition dedicated to Vietnamese great poet Nguyen Du and his works (Photo: VNA)

The event was organised by Ha Tinh province’s department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as part of celebrating activities dedicated to the great poet.

Specifically, the exhibition with the theme “The great poet Nguyen Du – The Tale of Kieu masterpiece with the hometown of Ha Tinh” will showcase 150 large illustrations of the Tale of Kieu, 40 oil illustration paintings by painter Nguyen Tuan Son from Ha Noi, 500 publications on the epic poem through different periods and Nguyen Du’s literary legacy.

According to the organisers, the paintings are expected to instill the viewers with new inspiration about the Tale of Kieu, arouse art creativity and thereby spread its cultural values in the new era.

Meanwhile, the exhibition aims to introduce and promote celebrated poet Nguyen Du’s masterpiece and other works to both domestic and international friends, as well as educate young generations about patriotism, national pride and encourage them to contribute to the construction of the nation. It will end on September 28.

During this week, many other activities have also been held to celebrate this occasion in Ha Tinh province – his hometown, including the ceremonies awarding prizes for the contest on learning about the author and his works and the Nguyen Du Literature Prize.

In particular, a special art programme dedicated to the great poet was broadcast live on television on 26 September.

Source: VNA