The Cuban Book Institute held a ceremony in Havana on May 11 to introduce the late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh’s “Nhat Ky Trong Tu” (Prison Diary) published in Spanish by the Coleccion Sur de Ediones Union publishing house.

“Nhat Ky Trong Tu” was translated into Spanish by Cuba’s late well-known poet Felix Pita Rodriguez and made its debut in the country in 1960. It helps Cuban readers understand more President Ho Chi Minh’s personality and Vietnam’s culture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong expressed his thanks to the Cuban Book Institute for its introduction of this special work in the context that Vietnam is celebrating the President’s 123 rd birthday anniversary (May 19).

He affirmed that the work acts as a cultural bridge and helps consolidate the two countries’ traditional friendship.

The collection of poems was written during 12 months between 1942 and 1943 when President Ho Chi Minh was imprisoned in neighbouring China ’s Guangxi province.

Over the past 50 years, the work has been translated into many foreign languages and become the inspiration for both domestic and international artists.-VNA