Former prisoner Vũ Văn Kim (third from right) shares stories about Côn Đảo Prison with students at the exhibition "From the Land of Quan Họ to Côn Đảo Prison: A Steadfast Heart" in Bắc Ninh Museum 1. — Photos courtesy of Bắc Ninh's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

BẮC NINH — An exhibition showcasing nearly 300 historic photos, documents and artefacts from Bắc Ninh City and Côn Đảo Island is open until October 30 at the Bắc Ninh Museum 1.

The exhibition "From the Land of Quan Họ to Côn Đảo Prison: A Steadfast Heart" is co-organised by the museum and the Côn Đảo branch of the Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Museum, offering visitors a chance to explore a historical era while connecting two regions rich in revolutionary tradition.

According to Phạm Thị Tám, deputy director of the Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Museum in Côn Đảo, the exhibition was created by converging two historical and cultural streams, serving as a journey back into memory.

"Through a collection of documents, images and artefacts, the exhibition highlights the patriotic and revolutionary traditions of the Kinh Bắc region, while also recreating the lives, fighting spirit and sacrifices of Bắc Ninh natives imprisoned at Côn Đảo," she said.

"The exhibition is not merely a professional collaboration between the two institutions but also a tribute, a means of education and a way to connect heritage with the community."

Each document, image and artefact on display is linked to a specific life story and conveys a message of loyalty, resilience and the indomitable spirit of revolutionary fighters.

The exhibition specifically targets the younger generation with a vivid, visual approach, helping students better understand the value of peace.

Phạm Thị Tám, deputy director of the Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Museum in Côn Đảo Island, gives a photo of the Côn Đảo Special Zone in HCM City as a commemorative gift to a representative from Bắc Ninh Museum 1.

According to Nguyễn Thị Thanh Huyền, deputy director of Bắc Ninh Museum 1, the return of materials preserved at Côn Đảo to Bắc Ninh – the homeland of many revolutionary fighters – where they were born and raised, holds special significance.

She said: “The value of an exhibition lies not only in the quantity of documents and artefacts but also in its ability to evoke memories and bring the public closer to historical figures.

“The collaboration between the two museums also opens up opportunities to exchange materials, supplement information and complete the records of the homeland’s distinguished sons and daughters, helping to preserve historical truth through authentic documentation.”

Building on the results of this collaboration, the two museums aim to further expand the exchange of materials, conduct in-depth research, and organise educational and public engagement activities.

They also seek to share expertise in preservation, digitisation and promotion of documentary value to bring historical stories to a wider audience.

From the land of quan họ (traditional Bắc Ninh singing) to Côn Đảo – which was once likened to a “hell on earth”, stories of revolutionary fighters help inspire gratitude, pride and a sense of responsibility toward the homeland and the nation among today’s generation. — VNS