HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng has stressed the important role of literature and arts in the national cause of industrialisation, global integration and development.

The Party chief made the statement while attending a ceremony held yesterday to commemorate the 70th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam Union of Literature and Arts Associations (VULA) in Hà Nội.

In his speech, Trọng said the Party and State had always encouraged and respected creativity by building specific mechanisms and policies to support literature, arts, and artists’ activities.

He hoped that writers and artists across the country would create pieces of work which have high ideological and artistic value and that honestly, profoundly and comprehensively reflect the state of the reform, integration and development of the country.

He noted that many new issues had emerged in this period of reform and integration, which requires artists to reform themselves, remain steadfast and approach new methods in their creations.

They should follow daily life; embrace different aspects including agriculture, industry, business, and security and defence; and visit remote, ethnic minorities as well as some border and island areas to discover and reflect interesting issues and new problems while playing a responsible part in social tasks, especially the fight against corruption and negative behaviour.

The Party leader also asked the Party committees and authorities at all levels to improve awareness of the importance of literature and arts in national development and protection.

They also need to provide the best possible conditions for literary and artistic activities by issuing favourable mechanisms and policies, providing financial support, opening workshops and offering training to artistic talents.

Also attended the ceremony yesterday, President Trần Đại Quang, on behalf of the Party and State leaders awarded the Gold Star Medal – one of the State’s highest awards, to the Union.

President Quang presented the order to the alliance in recognition of the enormous contributions to national development and security made by writers and artists nationwide.

The national arts and literature conference in Yên Kù Commune, in the northern province of Phú Thọ, on July 25-27, 1948, is considered the first congress of the revolutionary arts and literature organisation of Việt Nam. It gathered artists from all social strata and ethnic groups to call on them to collaborate in performing revolutionary tasks.

The union has changed its name three times and officially took the name the “Union of Arts and Literature Associations of Việt Nam” in 1995. — VNS