Poetry lovers from within and outside the country flocked to Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 5 to join in National Poetry Day, the biggest poetry festival in the country, spotlighting the national sea and islands.
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| Poetry lovers read poems hung on tree braches. |
Poetry lovers from within and outside the country flocked to Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 5 to join in National Poetry Day, the biggest poetry festival in the country, spotlighting the national sea and islands.
The event, the 13th of its kind so far, offers venues for both young and traditional poetry lovers and provides more space for foreign poets, revealed Do Han, a member of the organising board.
Along with members of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, the traditional arena also attracted students from six universities and nearly 20 poetry clubs from Hanoi and other eight localities across the country.
Fifteen well-known Vietnamese poets are expected to introduce their works in French with illustrative drawings by a renowned French artist, said Han.
Meanwhile, 100 outstanding poets will also join exchanges with foreign colleagues and ten participating publishing houses will introduce pieces about Vietnam’s struggle for independence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, poet Huu Thinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, noted that activities for the Vietnam National Poetry Day are underway in more than 100 locations nationwide.
In Hanoi, the event drew 150 poets, writers and translators from 43 countries and territories, a reflection of the miraculous power of poetry to connect people, he said.
The participation of the Coast Guard High Command and Border Guard High Command is also a highlight of the event, bringing a number of interesting pieces celebrating the sea and islands, he stated.
Poet Nguyen Viet Chien, the author of the famous poem “To quoc nhin tu bien” (Fatherland Seen from Sea), who was chosen to be the first to perform his work at the event, said he is pleased with the National Poetry Day celebration.
National Poetry Day, which coincides with the second Asian-Pacific Poetry Festival and the third International Conference on Vietnamese literacy promotion this year, presents a good chance for Vietnamese poetry to reach foreign friends and deepen their understanding of the national defence cause, he said.
At the same time, President of the Union of Russian Writers Luginov Nikolai Alekseevich said he is impressed with the event’s crowded turnout despite the cold and drizzling weather in the 15th day of the first lunar month.
(Source: VNA)
