Administrators of Hà Tĩnh Province and tourists contemplate oil paintings at the exhibition dedicated to Vietnamese great poet Nguyễn Du and his works. VNA/VNS Photo Công Tường

HÀ TĨNH — Many cultural activities have been held in the central province of Hà Tĩnh, the hometown of great Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Du (1765–1820) who is the author of the Vietnamese masterpiece, Truyện Kiều (the Tales of Kiều), to celebrate his 255th birth anniversary and 200th death anniversary.

On September 25, the People's Committee of Hà Tĩnh Province coordinated with the Vietnam Association of Kiều Studies to organise a scientific seminar entitled "Vietnamese Language in Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều).”

The seminar was attended by professor Phong Lê, the president of the Vietnam Association of Kiều Studies, poet Trần Đăng Khoa, vice president of Vietnam Writers Association, together with representatives of Hà Tĩnh Province.

Speaking at the ceremony, professor Lê affirmed that the seminar aimed to honour and pay tribute to great poet Nguyễn Du, who brought the value of the Vietnamese language to a high level that no other authors have ever been capable of.

Over hundreds of years, the beauty and vitality of the Vietnamese language in the Tale of Kiều had shone more and more brilliant, he stressed.

The seminar also introduced 48 presentations, each of which is a way to deepen and concretise the vitality and the beauty of the Vietnamese language in the Tale of Kiều.

Results of new studies on the Tale of Kiều from a linguistic perspective were also announced, which contribute to the accuracy of the study, translation and promotion of the epic poem.

“The seminar affirms the value and longevity of the masterpiece the Tale of Kiều, in addition to honouring Nguyễn Du's significant role in promoting the beauty of the Vietnamese language in creating the masterpiece and therefore helping to promote and preserve the values of the Vietnamese language,” noted Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hà Tĩnh Province, Đặng Quốc Vinh.

On this occasion, the People's Committee of Hà Tĩnh Province also launched the Nguyễn Du Heritage Conservation and Promotion Fund.

An exhibition featuring paintings, publications related to masterpiece the Tale of Kiều and the literary legacy of the great author is also taking place at his memorial area located in Tiên Điền Town, Nghi Xuân District, Hà Tĩnh Province.

The event was organised by Hà Tĩnh Province’s department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as part of celebrating activities dedicated to the great poet.

Specifically, the exhibition with the theme “The great poet Nguyễn Du – The Tale of Kiều masterpiece with the hometown of Hà Tĩnh” will showcase 150 large illustrations of the Tale of Kiều, 40 oil illustration paintings by painter Nguyễn Tuấn Sơn from Hà Nội, 500 publications on the epic poem through different periods and Nguyễn Du’s literary legacy.

According to the organisers, the paintings are expected to instill the viewers with new inspiration about the Tale of Kiều, arouse art creativity and thereby spread its cultural values in the new era.

Meanwhile, the exhibition aims to introduce and promote celebrated poet Nguyễn Du’s masterpiece and other works to both domestic and international friends, as well as educate young generations about patriotism, national pride and encourage them to contribute to the construction of the nation. It will end on September 28.

During this week, many other activities have also been held to celebrate this occasion in Hà Tĩnh Province – his hometown, including the ceremonies awarding prizes for the contest on learning about the author and his works and the Nguyễn Du Literature Prize.

In particular, a special art programme dedicated to the great poet will be broadcast live on television on September 26. VNS