The Con Dao Book Fair is bustling with joy.

On the evening of October 4th, a large crowd of people came to visit and enjoy the cultural program "Poems That Shape the Image of the Nation" on the occasion of the opening of the Con Dao Book Fair.

A corner of the "Legends of Con Dao" exhibition - Photo: HOANG LE

Starting at 6:30 PM, both sides of the road leading to the stage were illuminated by torches. Themed book exhibition areas were arranged along the road for easy viewing by the public.

The Con Dao Book Fair is very meaningful.

In the Con Dao Legends area, Mr. Dung carefully read each box introducing the figures who have created legends for Con Dao and for the country.

He shared with Tuoi Tre Online : "I've been living and working in Con Dao for 20 years now, and this is the first time there's been such a large book fair. In my opinion, this book fair is very beneficial and should be organized more regularly so that we, especially the younger generation, can better understand the land we live on."

The organizers of the Con Dao Book Fair launched a fundraising campaign to support people affected by Typhoon No. 10 - Photo: HOANG LE

Minh Duc, 11 years old, and his mother visit the book fair.

In the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space area, 11-year-old Minh Duc held a small book titled "The History of Our Country," flipping through the pages. "I enjoy reading and learning about Vietnamese history, so I find this book really interesting," Minh Duc said.

In his opening remarks, Tran The Thuan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, stated: "The book fair is not only a place to display and introduce valuable books and documents, but also a profound cultural activity aimed at promoting the historical and revolutionary values ​​and enhancing reading culture among the people."

This will contribute to raising the intellectual level of the population, enhancing their enjoyment of cultural and spiritual products, and working towards the title of " World Book Capital" recognized by UNESCO.

He emphasized: "Con Dao - a sacred island with immortal legends such as General Secretary Le Hong Phong; Patriot Nguyen An Ninh, Heroic Martyr Vo Thi Sau, along with thousands of revolutionary soldiers who bravely faced the enemy."

Today's book fair honors these steadfast and unwavering role models through exhibition areas featuring books about President Ho Chi Minh, the city's socio-economic achievements during the 2020-2025 term, legendary figures of Con Dao, and outstanding publications.

Activities such as author-work exchanges, promoting reading habits in schools, and introducing the Nguyen An Ninh Digital Library will ignite a passion for reading, especially among the younger generation, contributing to character development and the building of new individuals."

Recreating history through art.

Following the opening ceremony, the people of Con Dao enjoyed an art program themed "Poems that Shape the Nation," presented in three parts : "The Stance of Vietnam," "The Songs of the Prisons," and "Continuing the Epic of the Nation ," a program summarizing the country's long journey through the resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism.

Singer Quoc Dai opened with the song "Comrade" . This was followed by the melodies of "Artillery Pulling Chant", "The Road Ahead", "Flower Ho for Dien Bien Soldiers", and "Victory at Dien Bien" performed by Thanh Su, Ha Van, and the VMO group.

Singer Quoc Dai performs the song "Comrade" - Photo: HOANG LE

During those years, the Vietnamese people proudly rose up, writing glorious chapters of history with blood, tears, and unwavering faith in the future.

Among them, Con Dao, a picturesque archipelago amidst the vast ocean of our homeland, stands as an immortal monument to patriotism, unwavering will, and indomitable spirit.

Singer Thùy Trinh and the groups MTV. SG and Chuong Gio performed the song "Gratitude to Sister Vo Thi Sau". Artists Thanh Hang, Lam Tuyen, Viet Ha, Hoai An, and Thai Dien performed the musical drama "The Song of the Prison Cells"...

Finally, as the country rejoiced on the joyous day of reunification, April 30, 1975, the shackles of Con Dao were lifted, and the steadfast prisoners burst with joy at their freedom, standing proudly like victors.

A large crowd of people watched the art program themed "Poems that Shape the Image of the Nation" - Photo: HOANG LE

At the opening ceremony of the book festival, the organizers of the Con Dao Book Fair launched a fundraising campaign to support people affected by Typhoon No. 10.

During the program, the organizers presented books to the Con Dao Special Zone, with the gifts being raised through social resources from newspapers, publishers, and other organizations.

HOANG LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoi-sach-con-dao-ron-rang-nhung-niem-vui-20251004222801022.htm