Hanoi (VNA) - A special national art programme entitled “80-year journey of independence – freedom – happiness” was held on the evening of September 1 at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.
The event, directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and staged by the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet with other art units, honoured the nation’s 80 years of establishment and development.
It drew Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien, as well as incumbent and former Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders, along with representatives from ministries, central agencies and local authorities.
Also present were international guests, including Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party and President of the Cambodian Senate; Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba; Igor Sergeenko, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belarus; Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev, Secretary of the General Council of the United Russia Party and First Vice Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, and Saleumxay Kommasith, Lao Deputy Prime Minister.
Addressing the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasised that Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, have always upheld solidarity, patriotism and resilience, overcoming challenges with the aspiration to build a strong homeland.
He stressed that culture and the arts have accompanied the nation throughout its struggles, nurturing the soul and spirit of Vietnam, and that the programme was both a showcase of music, dance and poetry and a tribute to generations who gave their lives for independence.
The programme featured three chapters, staged on a grand scale with nearly 3,000 artists.
The first chapter spotlighted the path to independence and reunification, recreating history from colonial rule to Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, the victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, and national reunification in 1975. Symphonies, stage performances and revolutionary songs vividly evoked the struggles and victories.
The second one featured aspiration for the nation, reflecting the post-1975 period of renovation, development and international integration. Performances highlighted the vitality of Vietnamese youth and the country’s spirit of friendship.
Meanwhile, the third one, themed “My homeland has never been more beautiful” connected past, present and future, spreading a message of national solidarity and the vision of a prosperous Vietnam reaching new heights.
A special reportage reviewing the nation’s 80 years of achievements, showcased Vietnam’s progress in science, education, culture, sports and international integration.
The programme closed with the national anthem Tien Quan Ca, performed by children’s choirs, symphony orchestras and dancers, creating a solemn and emotional finale.
The night was not only a cultural spectacle but also a journey through memory, paying tribute to eight decades of struggle, sacrifice and pride on the road to independence, freedom and happiness./.
