 The Doctoral Laureate Festival to mark 438th death anniversary of Nguyen Binh Khiem took place from January 8 to 10, 2024 (Photo: VOV) |
Nguyen Binh Khiem, a native of Hai Phong who lived from 1491 to 1585, was renowned as an exceptional cultural figure, a celebrated poet, and a dedicated teacher. Academically, he consistently excelled in examinations, ultimately achieving the esteemed title of doctoral laureate. He served as a mandarin (minister) in the Mac dynasty.
Last year the People's Committee of Hai Phong city established a UNESCO Advocacy Committee dedicated to honoring Nguyen Binh Khiem on his 450th death anniversary in 2035. This year, the Committee will pay tribute to the life and illustrious career of Nguyen Binh Khiem. Le Khac Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong city and Head of the Committee, emphasized the importance of this initiative.
"The Advocacy Committee will produce films, organize seminars dedicated to exploring Nguyen Binh Khiem's legacy, collect, inventory, compile, and catalogue his works, and conduct research on his life. We will learn from dossiers that have been compiled on other esteemed individuals in other localities. Activities will be held to promote and celebrate the noble qualities, intelligence, and virtue of Nguyen Binh Khiem," said Nam.
The Hai Phong Department of Culture and Sports has initiated a contest, which aims to spotlight Nguyen Binh Khiem's image through the creation of songs, stage dramas, and traditional Cheo theater plays.
The contest winners will be announced next year. Professor and People's Teacher Vu Minh Giang said: "We are crafting documents about doctoral laureate Nguyen Binh Khiem, sorting out the documents and will publish them in English and French. We need a plan for the publication determining his position in Vietnamese history and proposing to honor him at the world level."
Hai Phong city will spend 12 years preparing documents and campaigning for UNESCO to honor Nguyen Binh Khiem on his 450th death anniversary in 2035.