Vietnamese and foreign visitors gathered at the Temple of Literature yesterday to celebrate the Việt Nam Poetry Day, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year. —  Photo vov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese and foreign visitors gathered at the Temple of Literature yesterday to celebrate the Việt Nam Poetry Day, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year.

Various cultural activities such as photo exhibitions, poem recitals and art performances took place to end the celebration which started from February 27.

Themed ‘Literature Going with the Nation’, the festival focuses on problems in society and support workers, farmers and soldiers who have been trying to build and protect the country, according to poet Hữu Thỉnh, chairman of the Việt Nam Writers Association.

“It’s a rendezvous for poets and readers,” he said. “Here, poets can find their readers and readers can find the love and sympathy expressed through poems.”

Thỉnh said the organising board has selected ‘sail’ as a romantic symbol of this year’s event.

The poetry festival welcomed Japanese poets to recite their works and meet with local poetry lovers. 

Additionally, a special space was designed for children, the future generation who will become poets and poem readers. Educational expert Nguyễn Thụy Anh, who initiated Đọc Sách Cùng Con (Reading with Children) Club managed the space.

"Our booth attracted many children who came to play games to discover Vietnamese poetry and poets," she said.

"I feel happy that the little readers were interested in reading and poetry. I just regret that the Poetry Day doesn’t take place at weekend to lure more students."

A photo exhibition on Vietnamese writers and poets who participated in the Tết Offensive in 1968 was held on the margins of the event.

Such activities are important steps to turn Việt Nam Poetry Day into Việt Nam Literature Day, Thỉnh added. 

Since its debut on Nguyên Tiêu Day (the 15th day of the first lunar month) in 2003, Việt Nam Poetry Day has become a national tradition. 

Starting out as an initiative of the Việt Nam Writers’ Association, Poetry Day has been held in many provinces and cities to honour poetry, which has long been an integral part of Vietnamese culture. — VNS