“Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments”:

The book “Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments” published by the People's Army Publishing House can be considered an album of national memories, bringing typical works about many sacred moments of the country, recorded by photographer Nguyen Ba Khoan.

On September 23, in Hanoi , the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists launched the book "Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments" compiled by author Dieu An - daughter of photographer Nguyen Ba Khoan.

Scene of the book launch ceremony. Photo: H.Hoang

Photographer Nguyen Ba Khoan (1917-1993) was one of the pioneering press photographers of our country. He was a reporter, editor of the Cuu Quoc Newspaper, and a photographer.

During his 50 years of holding the camera, he recorded and stored thousands of films, typically valuable and rare photos of the August Revolution, President Ho Chi Minh (1945-1946), the Southern Movement, the National Resistance in the Capital... His collection of documentary photos truly reflected the nation's history, with high persuasiveness and fighting spirit. He was awarded the First Class Labor Medal, the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts, and many other noble awards.

The book “Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments”. Photo: Thuy Du

The book “Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments” is 200 pages thick, consisting of 3 parts. Part 1 “Historical Photos” introduces to readers his works recording the Revolutionary High Tide (1936-1939), the August Revolution and Uncle Ho (1945-1946), the Southern Movement, and the National Resistance War in the Capital.

The second part is a photo appendix. The third part “Nguyen Ba Khoan - Life and career” includes a record of his achievements and articles about his life and career from many researchers, colleagues, photographers, relatives, etc.

Photographer Ho Sy Minh, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Editor-in-Chief of Photography and Life Magazine, spoke. Photo: H.Hoang

Speaking at the book launch, photographer Ho Sy Minh, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Editor-in-Chief of Photography and Life Magazine, said that the book includes many typical photos, each of which encapsulates a part of history. Viewers can feel the solemnity and sacredness of the birth moment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and at the same time feel close and moved by Uncle Ho's gentle smile, or the images of soldiers and compatriots during the resistance war...

According to photographer Ho Sy Minh, the highlight of Nguyen Ba Khoan's photos is their authenticity. The composition is not elaborate, the light is natural, the moments are captured in a simple but suggestive way. It is this simplicity that makes his images not restricted to the time of shooting, but become historical witnesses of lasting value, containing faith and emotion for future generations.

In terms of historical materials, the book can be considered a “national memory album”. The photos not only illustrate history lessons in class, but also serve as authentic evidence for future generations to better visualize the atmosphere of the early period of independence.

For researchers, Nguyen Ba Khoan's photos contribute to supplementing and verifying textual documents. For the general public, it is a visual, easy-to-perceive and emotional channel of access to history.

“Nguyen Ba Khoan’s photos will live forever, because the photographer always stands from a historical perspective. He is truly a visual historian during the boiling period of the August Revolution and the early period of building the Democratic Republic of Vietnam,” artist Ho Sy Minh affirmed.

Colonel Nguyen Van Sau, Deputy Director - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Publishing House, spoke. Photo: H.Hoang

“Nguyen Ba Khoan – Historical Moments” is a photo book of special value, both historical and artistic, and educational . This is not only a memorial work for a talented photographer, but also a reminder to the present and future generations about the journey of building and defending the Fatherland.

Colonel Nguyen Van Sau, Deputy Director - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Publishing House, emphasized that the book "Nguyen Ba Khoan - Historical Moments" is part of the book series commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2 of the People's Army Publishing House.

According to Colonel Nguyen Van Sau, this valuable book was reprinted from the first edition nearly 30 years ago, with revised and supplemented documents. The book shows the silent sacrifice of artist and soldier Nguyen Ba Khoan. He bravely and courageously took his camera to the scene of events and even extremely dangerous places, recording priceless historical moments of the nation.

At the ceremony, scientists, photographers, author Dieu An and delegates shared about the life and career of photographer Nguyen Ba Khoan, and analyzed the value of the book.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nguyen-ba-khoan-nhung-khoanh-khac-lich-su-cuon-album-ky-uc-dan-toc-717024.html