The Poetry Day is held on the 15th of the first lunar month. The key activities are expected to be organised over two days in Ha Noi's Literature Temple and HCM City's Literature and Arts Union office.— Photo vietbao

HA NOI (VNS)— Thousands of poetry lovers will participate in various activities to be held from tomorrow in 50 cities and provinces throughout the country to celebrate the annual Vietnamese Poetry Day.

The Poetry Day is held on the 15th of the first lunar month. The key activities are expected to be organised over two days in Ha Noi's Literature Temple and HCM City's Literature and Arts Union office.

In Ha Noi, the Poetry Day is being organised under the theme Spring-Country, with poetry recitals, art shows and introduction of new literature works focusing on the country's sovereignty over the sea and islands, as well as the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory.

According to writer Vo Thi Xuan Ha, an organising member, a poetry playground will be set up especially for young poets and fans.

Poetry lovers from seven cities and provinces of Nam Dinh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Ha Giang and Lang Son will participate in the events with their traditional performing arts.

Fans will be able to have close interactions with artists who fought in the Dien Bien Phu battle, such as writers Ho Phuong, Chu Phac and Le Kim, and music composer Hoang Van.

An exhibition of photos by photographer Nguyen Dinh Toan, featuring writers born in the Years of the Horse, will run together with another exhibition of photos by many Vietnamese photographers, featuring the generation of writers who grew up during the American war.

A painting exhibition featuring Vietnamese writers and war veterans by American poet Kevin Bowen will also be held.

In HCM City, the event will take place at the office of the city's Literature and Arts Union. Poets will present their latest works on various topics including Dien Bien, Truong Sa, HCM City, the society and the economy during the two-day event. Poems in Cham, Tay and Khmer ethnic languages will be also featured with illustrations.

The poets will be invited onstage to recite from their work on the opening day.

The second day will include poetry performances and exhibitions by 15 young poets, as well as a talk with young authors.

Eighteen clubs from districts and universities will organise activities such as quizzes, calligraphy and interaction with visitors during the festival.

The Poetry Day aims to praise Vietnamese poetry and is the brain-child of the Viet Nam Writers' Association. The first Poetry Day was organised in Ha Noi's Literature Temple in 2003. — VNS