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Delegates cutting the ribbon to open the exhibition |
The former book includes photos of the reunion moments of Con Dao prisoners of war (PoWs), their feelings and memories recalled when they visited the prison. To debut this photo book, photographer Nguyen A accompanied 39 Con Dao POWs who now live in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces to visit Con Dao prison. The photos in the book were taken in five days, together with his other file photos.
“With this photo book, I want to pay tribute to those who sacrificed for the national liberation, pay respects to ex-death-row prisoners and former prisoners of Con Dao in particular - ‘living monuments’ that I have chance to meet. They still have time to see and enjoy the peaceful days of the country,” said photographer Nguyen A.
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Former Con Dao prisoners recalling their unforgettable memories at the exchange in the exhibition |
Meanwhile, the latter book features mine clearance activities in Quang Tri province of members of the Restoring the Environment and Neutralizing the Effects of the War (RENEW) project funded by Norwegian People's Aid.
Both books record silent sacrifice and devotion of those who have fought for and built the country.
Recalling seven years facing the line between life and death in Con Dao prison, former prisoner Nguyen Thi Be Bay, aged 79, said, “Youth is the most beautiful years of a person's life. Our youth was in the most difficult situations and in years being captured and imprisoned by the enemy. However it was those years that helped us grow up. That place trained the will, forged the spirit of courage, sacrifice for the home towns and the country of generations of revolutionaries. Today, I am very happy to see that ideal has been shown by young people through the actions and deeds of doctors, nurses and volunteers in the fight against the COVID-19 ‘enemy’.”
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Ex-prisoner Nguyen Thi Be Bay beside her photo in the photo book |
70-year-old Tran Thi Truc Chi still remembers her days in Con Dao prison from 1972 to 1974. Meeting her inmates after many years, she shared that she could not imagine that they could laugh, hold hands and walk on the sand on Con Dao Island altogether. “We used to sing the national anthem in the cells to fight for the rights of prisoners. Now, we stand at the foot of Con Dao flag tower, watching the national flag flying, and singing the national anthem as citizens of a free country. We sang that song with great emotion,” said Old Chi.
Translated by Mai Huong