A painting by poet Đặng Đình Hưng at the exhibition at L'Espace. — Photo courtesy of L'Espace

HÀ NỘI — The French Cultural Centre (L'Espace) will host a new book launch to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of poet Đặng Đình Hưng. 

The book entitled Đặng Đình Hưng - Một Bến Lạ (Đặng Đình Hưng - An Unknown River) is published by the Writers' Association Publishing House. 

The ceremony and talk will be held on Wednesday at L'Espace with the participation of literary researchers and critics Hoàng Hưng, Đỗ Lai Thúy and Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hạnh. 

Hưng (1924-1990) was central to the country's poetry development. 

"He contributed to the innovation and creativity in the New Poetry Movement and the literary scene of Việt Nam," said poet Nguyễn Thụy Kha. 

"He wrote poems about his experiences. He was ranked among top poets such as Hoàng Cầm, Lê Đạt and Văn Cao."

Hưng was born in Thụy Hương Village, on the outskirts of Hà Nội. He graduated from Bưởi High School and studied law at the University of Indochina.

After the August Revolution in 1945, he joined Việt Minh (the League for the Independence of Vietnam).

Later, he was head and political instructor of the Central Art Performance Troupe where he met pianist Thái Thị Liên. They got married and their son Đặng Thái Sơn is the first Asian to win a gold medal at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1980. 

The new book will comprise six poems, as well as 20 small paintings and writings, about the poet and his poems by poets and researchers Hoàng Cầm, Hoàng Hưng and Đỗ Lai Thúy. 

L'Espace director Thierry Vergon will deliver the opening speech at the event. Poet Hoàng Hưng will introduce the book and conduct the talk. 

It will include a piano piece by pianist Sơn and composer Đặng Hữu Phúc, as well as a poem recital. Sơn will also talk about his memories of his father. 

Poetry researchers will present their studies about Hưng's poetry. 

At the ceremony, artist Lê Thiết Cương will talk about the paintings which are displayed at the centre until February 28. — VNS