"The Fatherland on the Shore" - When art carries a message of love for the sea and islands

Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Nguyen Trong Nghia and General Trinh Van Quyet, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, presented the First Prize to the winning authors. (Photo: DONG HA)

Effective form of sea and island propaganda

Selected from nearly 16,000 entries, the awarded works at the 3rd National Art Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore" (2025) have made many impressions and have had a wide influence, becoming an effective method in information and propaganda work on seas and islands. The contest not only honors the art of photography but also affirms the power of culture in protecting national sovereignty .

The work "Under the shadow of the national flag". (Photo: HOANG LONG)

The work "Under the shadow of the national flag" by author Nguyen Viet Hoang Long, first prize in the single photo category, captured the sacred moment when the red flag with yellow star fluttered in the early morning in Ha Long Bay. Amidst the vast waves, the red color of the national flag seemed to blend with the dawn, evoking feelings of pride and belief in the immortal vitality of the nation. The national flag not only appeared in the lens of the photographer but also imprinted in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people looking out to the sea.

In the distant background, boats are cutting through the waves to go out to sea, symbolizing the aspiration to rise up and master the sea and sky; at the same time, evoking a sense of peace and the desire to be attached to the sea of many generations of Vietnamese fishermen.

The authors won second prize at the third national art photography contest "Fatherland on the shore of waves". (Photo: PHUONG HOA)

With the second prize in the photo series category, the work “Oath to protect the sea” by author Pham Tai Ba includes 8 photos, the result of long voyages to the islands of Truong Sa archipelago. From the perspective of a Navy soldier, the author has preserved precious moments, from the image of submarine sailors tearfully kissing the national flag, to images of combat training, live-fire practice at sea,... All together demonstrate the determination of officers and soldiers of the Navy in the cause of protecting the sea and islands of the homeland.

“From Truong Sa to Co Lin, Len Dao; from Tien Nu to Song Tu Tay,… no matter where we are, we Navy soldiers always carry in our hearts the oath to protect the sea and islands, the sacred and inseparable flesh and blood of the Fatherland,” author Pham Tai Ba shared his feelings.

Through the judging rounds, the Jury selected 150 outstanding works to be introduced at the exhibition. (Photo: DONG HA)

The third national art photography contest "Fatherland on the shore of the waves" has created many impressions and has had a wide influence, becoming one of the effective methods in propaganda work about the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission

Nearly 16,000 works participating in the third national art photography contest "Fatherland on the Shore" vividly depicted the beauty of nature and people in coastal and island areas through unique perspectives. Art here does not stop at aesthetic beauty but becomes the language of the Vietnamese heart, conveying the spirit of independence, self-reliance and the aspiration to reach out to the ocean.

Behind those photos and photo groups is a message honoring the spirit of labor, creativity, and will of the people, along with the efforts of organizations and forces in socio-economic development, strengthening national defense and security, and preserving and protecting sovereignty over seas and islands.

Speaking at the Award Ceremony of the 3rd National Art Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore of Waves", Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, emphasized that the Contest has created many impressions and has had a wide influence, becoming one of the effective methods in propaganda work about the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

In response to the need to promote innovation in the content and methods of information and propaganda work on seas and islands, the National Artistic Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore of Waves" is not only a colorful art playground but also an activity to propagate the Party and State's policies and guidelines on sea and island issues to cadres, party members, people of all walks of life, overseas Vietnamese and international friends.

Multiplying the love of the sea and islands of the Fatherland

Through the language of photography, the Contest has contributed to spreading love for the homeland, national pride, arousing the desire to go offshore and the sense of responsibility of all classes of people in protecting and promoting the value of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Cuong (University of Politics, Ministry of National Defense)

The national art photography contest "Fatherland on the shore" chaired by the Central Propaganda and Education Commission was held for the first time in 2021. Up to now, after 3 times of organization, the greatest success of the contest is to arouse the pride, patriotism and sense of responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen, especially the young generation, for the task of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland associated with sustainable development of the marine economy.

In addition to their artistic value, the photography works participating in the contest also reflect the results of economic, cultural, social, and national security development in the seas and islands of the Fatherland. Thereby, concretizing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Many photos in the contest depict achievements in marine scientific research, offshore renewable energy exploitation, or images of marine tourism associated with ecological conservation, factors that concretize Vietnam's goals in developing a "green economy" and a "sustainable marine economy".

After visiting the award-winning works of the 3rd National Art Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore of Waves", Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Cuong (University of Politics, Ministry of National Defense) said: "Through the language of photography, the works have comprehensively reflected the work of protecting sovereignty, developing the economy, preserving culture and the environment of the sea and islands. That is a creative way to arouse the aspiration to rise up and the sense of responsibility of all classes of people in protecting and promoting the value of the sea and islands of the Fatherland."

Third prize winners at the third national art photography contest “Fatherland on the shore of waves”. (Photo: PHUONG HOA)

It is known that, from the results of the 3rd National Art Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore of Waves", the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission has continued to coordinate with agencies to promote propaganda work on seas and islands through compiling bilingual photo books, electronic photo books, organizing virtual reality exhibitions and photo exhibitions in provinces and cities across the country.

The sparkling images of Truong Sa, of fishermen, soldiers and children with the joy of going to school on the outpost islands,… All will continue to inspire future generations. When art keeps pace with national aspirations, each person will become a “small wave” contributing to building a stable, peaceful and prosperous “big sea” of Vietnam.

After three seasons, the National Art Photography Contest "Fatherland on the Shore" has become a prestigious and influential art playground, attracting a large number of artists and audiences nationwide. In particular, "Fatherland on the Shore" has become a symbol of the Vietnamese spirit towards the sea; a symbol of love and determination to preserve, protect and develop the homeland's seas and islands.

TA LINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/to-quoc-ben-bo-song-khi-nghe-thuat-mang-theo-thong-diep-ve-tinh-yeu-bien-dao-post918989.html