“Hue, the Immortal Years” is an historic collection of fifty essays, written by political and military activists, members of the Peoples’ Movement, intellectuals, artists, youths, and students. It focuses on their experiences in Hue between 1954 and 1975, especially from 1963 to 1975. The book was formally launched at DTU on August 14.
Nostalgic for our nation’s heroic times, attendees included Hue Party Committee Secretary, Comrade Phan Thien Dinh; Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU Chairman and Secretary of the DTU Party Committee; activists from Hue; and members of the Quang Nam-Danang Student Union Liaison Board.
Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU Chairman and Secretary of the DTU Party Committee
“DTU is happy to welcome our guests to this event, who witnessed those historic times in Hue,” said Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co. “In the arduous war waged by our people, the armed forces were supported by youths, students, intellectuals and artists in South Vietnam, who were willing to give their lives for the patriotic movement from 1954 to 1975. We hope that this book will clarify some of the historical details and inspire younger generations to live and contribute in ways that are more worthy of the sacrifices their forebears made for them.”
Participants in the patriotic movement receive gifts from DTU
Historical documents have confirmed the special importance of the movement of youths and students in Hue in the revolutionary struggle for independence and reunification,” affirmed Comrade Phan Thien Dinh, Secretary of the Hue Party Committee.
“Under the direction of the Party, the movement gradually turned from spontaneous to planned activities, to later become fiercer and fiercer and end up as a recognized movement in the war. It made many important contributions to the city of Hue but also influenced other urban movements throughout South Vietnam. The book released by DTU today is one of several documents relating the history of the movement of youths and student in Hue from 1954 to 1975, conveying the spirit of an immortal era to future generations.”
Movement members at the book launch
The fifty essays are an anthology of memoirs that DTU has received for publication from authors currently living all over Vietnam. The stories demonstrate the diversity and richness of their activities and ways of life in Hue in those times, and how they unselfishly disregarded their personal safety in the struggle for their city.
Rector of the DTU College of Medicine & Pharmacy, Professor Pran Huu Dang said. “I was deeply touched at each turn of the page while reading this book. So many of the memories shook me to the depths of my soul. The book of 787 pages contains 53 essays from a wide variety of authors, from the leaders to journalists, writers and poets, who directly participated in the many stages of the movement. Many shed their blood and flesh for Vietnam and for Hue and the book paints a heroic portrait of an entire generation, with souls of pure and unmatched beauty, who led strong, fierce, carefree and innocent lives.”
(Media Center)