HÀ NỘI — The 15th Việt Nam Poetry Day will open on February 11 at the Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature) in Hà Nội attracting hundreds of poets. 

The event, like always, will be held during the Nguyên Tiêu Festival falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year to honour traditional hobby to compose extempore poems during the first days of the year. This year the festival will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Việt Nam Writers Association. 

"The highlight of the festival will be presentations by poets from different generations of the two war resistance periods," Nguyễn Quang Thiều, the association’s deputy-chairman, said.

The poets from the war time include Trần Đình Hồ, Anh Ngọc and Hoàng Nhuận Cầm, while the post-war poets are Y Phương, Trần Quang Quý and Nguyễn Quang Thiều. The poets will also talk and exchange experiences with younger poets and festival goers. The event will be held at the Văn Miếu court. 

It is the first time for young poets such as Đào Quốc Minh, Lữ Thị Mai and Nguyễn Quang Hưng who won a poetry award at a contest held annually by Văn Nghệ Quân Đội (Army Literature and Art) magazine — among the most prestigious literary contests in Việt Nam. 

The poets will also recite poems on stage at the Thái Học court. Artist Lê Thiết Cương and his team will decorate the court with pottery products which feature selected poetry lyrics. The stage on court will witness stirring performances of popular poems that are put to music. Two veteran writers Chu Lai and Lê Minh Khuê will appear for the first time at the court to introduce their Việt Nam Writers Association 2016 award-winning works. 

This year will also see for the first time the "Path of Poet," which introduces the portrait and notable works of major poets of Việt Nam. An exhibition will be organised as part of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Việt Nam Writers’Association. It will showcase documents, photos and items highlighting achievements of the association until now. 

As scheduled, hundreds of poets from the four northern provinces of Quảng Ninh, Vĩnh Phúc, Ninh Bình; and Bắc Ninh will attend the festival. A space will be also set up for children at the festival.

Meanwhile, other localities are getting inspired to organise a similar poet day at historical sites or travel destinations. — VNS