The Hanoi Association of Literature and Arts has launched a literary and artistic creation contest with the theme "Hanoi - Innovation and Development" to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day [October 10, 1954 - 2024].

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Director of Hanoi's Department of Culture and Sports Tran Thi Van Anh said the contest aims to promote the potential of artistic creativity and encourage writers to create literary and artistic works on the theme of the capital city. 

Deputy Director of Hanoi's Department of Culture and Sports Tran Thi Van Anh speaks at the event. Photo: Hanoimoi

She went on to say that the Hanoi Literary and Art Association and writers will be supported by the Department of Culture and Sports in their efforts to explore reality and produce important literary and artistic works.

Tran Quoc Chiem, People's Artist and Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Literature and Arts, emphasized that the contest also aims to inherit and promote the traditional cultural values of the ancient capital of Thang Long - Hanoi.

"The contest is expected to educate the people about historical and revolutionary traditions and meet the integration and development requirements of modern society," Chiem said.

He called on the members of the association to actively participate in the competition with the talents and responsibilities of artists who are soldiers on the cultural-ideological front, to create excellent literary and artistic works, thus highlighting the important position, role, and responsibility of all citizens in the socio-economic development of the capital.

Submissions will be accepted in the following forms: Literature (poems, short stories, novels); Music (songs); Photography (single photos, photo series); Fine arts (painting, sculpture); Theater (cheo, cai luong or Vietnamese folk singing); Cinema (feature films, documentaries); Dance (dance performances, dance poetry, dance drama); Folk art; Architecture (architectural works, urban planning).

A Hanoi Cheo Theater performance about the capital. Photo courtesy of the theater

 The works must focus on reflecting the cultural and historical values of Thang Long - Hanoi; honoring moral and traditional values suitable for the modern life of the capital's people in the present period; industrialization, modernization, and new-style rural construction; poverty reduction; good examples in production work, fighting corruption and negativity, and maintaining security and politics in the locality; writings on mountainous and remote areas, ethnic minorities, youth and children in Hanoi.

The contest is open to all except the organizing committee, and new creations must be those that have not been submitted to other contests. All entries can be sent to the Hanoi Association of Literature and Arts at No.19 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District by August 30, 2024.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh on May 15 approved a plan to organize a national scientific conference to mark the 70th anniversary of the capital's liberation day.

The event will be co-hosted by the Hanoi Party Committee in cooperation with the Party Central Committee's Commission on Communication and Education, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics to assess the achievements and lessons learned from 70 years of historical struggle, construction and growth, and development orientation to build a modern capital city.

The conference is expected to take place in September 2024 at the National Convention Center in Hanoi with the attendance of 500 delegates.

The content will focus on three main groups, including 70 years of struggle to liberate and protect the capital - the meaning and lessons of historical and military experience, 70 years of construction and development - the socio-economic achievements, the capital in a new era - a globally connected city.