HÀ NỘI — Historical witnesses, who were revolutionary prisoners during the war, shared their stories through an exhibition held on Friday in Hà Nội.

With the title ‘Flame of Youth’, the exhibition tells the stories of young people during the war, who devoted themselves to the nation and people. They were imprisoned, tortured and killed but they ignited the flame of youth that inspired the next generations, said Phạm Hoàng My, an officer of Hoả Lò Prison Relics, where the exhibition is on-going.

The exhibition is held to commemorate 88 years since the establishment of the Hồ Chí Minh Union of Youth and marks the union’s movement – “2019: Year of Volunteers”.

The exhibition recalled the establishment and activities of young people’s organisations and associations.

It includes many objects and documents of revolutionary activists as well as stories of Vietnamese revolutionary prisoners from Hoả Lò, Phú Quốc and Côn Đảo prisons.

“The freedom of the country today cost youth, blood and tears of so many generations,” said Vũ Mão, former president of the Hồ Chí Minh Union of Youth.

“Putting off unfinished dreams, they volunteered to go to the frontline, fought in fire to take back the independence and liberty of the country. The young people at the rear worked to support and build up the country.”

War veteran Châu Văn Mẫn returned to Côn Đảo Prison every year to recall the past.

At the age of 18 (1968), he was participating in an investigation of the enemy in the Central Highlands. In 1970, he was captured. For 10 days, the enemy tortured him through beatings and electric shocks. Two years later, he was sent to Côn Đảo Prison, where most of the courageous soldiers were detained.

“Despite hard condition and torture, we kept our strong will. We even made an in-prison newsletter.”

“I was very young, but the more floggings I received, the stronger I became,” he said.   

 “I have travelled to many places but none have remained in my memory like this place.”

“When thinking back to my fallen comrades, I felt hurt. There is a love for Côn Đảo in my heart.”

The exhibition will run until June 30 at Hỏa Lò Prison Relics, 1 Hỏa Lò Street, Hà Nội. — VNS