Let the relics speak: The flow of memories - the flame of pride

When history is told through artifacts and vivid exhibition spaces at museums in Ho Chi Minh City, memories of a time when the country was arduous but heroic become present and clear. Each artifact is like a living witness, taking viewers back in time to feel the atmosphere of the historic autumn of 1945.

Visitors to the Ho Chi Minh - Portrait of a Man special exhibition at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Uncle Ho - Uncle Ton

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts (97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) organized a special exhibition called Ho Chi Minh - Portrait of a Man, introducing to the public 80 works, including 59 oil and watercolor paintings by the late artist Dao Trong Ly (1951-2024), created in Thailand during the period 2018-2024. With respect for President Ho Chi Minh, he depicted important milestones in his life, from the day he left to find a way to save the country to the moment he joined the joy of independence with the whole nation.

His paintings, in addition to depicting the image of an outstanding leader, also depict a simple, approachable person who is always concerned about the people and the country. The exhibition also introduces 21 propaganda paintings created during the period 1969-1980. The sharp lines and vibrant colors once encouraged and added strength to revolutionary emulation movements, and now become vivid evidence of how generations of artists spread the image of Uncle Ho to millions of hearts.

Next is the image of Uncle Ton - a close comrade of Uncle Ho, at Ton Duc Thang Museum (No. 5, Ton Duc Thang Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) organized a special exhibition on 25 years of Ton Duc Thang Award. The images and artifacts introduce to viewers hundreds of initiatives of workers, engineers, and typical laborers over 25 seasons. Those initiatives have contributed significantly to production innovation, enriching the creative tradition of the industrial city. In addition, many valuable artifacts associated with Uncle Ton's life given by his family have created a rich, vivid and intimate picture of memories.

And here is the sound of bamboo clappers

In the exhibition space of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum (No. 65, Ly Tu Trong Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), the bamboo clapper of Mr. Nguyen Van Nuong - a member of the Vanguard Youth Organization (Quy Duc Commune, Binh Chanh District in the past, now Hung Long Commune, Ho Chi Minh City), became a special witness. It was that simple clapper that rang out during the August Revolution in 1945 in Saigon, telling today's generation the story of the heroic uprising of the nation.

On May 26, 1945, the Vanguard Youth Movement was officially born, quickly spreading strongly, attracting about 200,000 people from many classes and strata. In Saigon, almost every neighborhood, agency, and department had Vanguard Youth members. In the early days of the resistance war, when there were many difficulties, the sound of the bamboo gong "knock...knock...knock..." resounding in the middle of the night became a unique means of communication: rallying forces, warning when the enemy returned, urging people to rise up to save the country. More than half a century has passed, the bamboo gong is now safely behind the glass of the museum. But its echoes still remind us: today's independence and freedom are the result of many sacrifices and hardships.

What is special about the independent autumn exhibitions is not only the rare artifacts, but also the way the museum brings history closer to the younger generation. Ms. Dang Tuyet Thanh, a tour guide at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, shared: “In addition to the thematic exhibitions, we also coordinate with schools to carry out many experiential activities such as Local History Hour at the Museum, the I Love History Club, or mobile exhibitions. Through that, students not only listen to stories, but also see the evidence with their own eyes. At that time, history will become closer, sowing the seeds of patriotism naturally.”

From paintings of Uncle Ho, stories of Uncle Ton, to historical artifacts, each exhibition in the Independence Autumn is like a bridge connecting the past with the present. It is where memories come alive, so that pride and aspiration to build the country continue to spread. History is not only kept in the pages of books, but also in each color, in each simple but sacred artifact.

On this occasion, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History (No. 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) in collaboration with the Viet Stamp Club organized an exhibition of postage stamps marking 80 years of Vietnam reaching out to the sea. The theme aims to introduce and honor the documentary and artistic value of postage stamps as a means of preserving history, reflecting culture, politics and important events of Vietnam, especially during the period of the August Revolution in 1945, National Day September 2 and the early period of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The theme lasts from now until September 27.

RED SUNFLOWER

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/de-di-tich-len-tieng-dong-chay-ky-uc-ngon-lua-tu-hao-post811172.html