Symbol of friendship and true patriotism

(Baonghean) - One of the major events of Nghe An province in 2017 is the organization of the international scientific conference "Patriot Phan Boi Chau - Doctor Asaba Sakitaro and the friendship between Vietnam and Japan".

The workshop aims to continue researching, evaluating and clarifying the great and noble values ​​of the life and career of patriot Phan Boi Chau for the history of the Vietnamese nation; contributing to fostering the good traditional friendship between Vietnam - Japan in general, Nghe An - Japan in particular.

Mr. Phan Boi Chau (sitting in the middle) surrounded by the village chief and dignitaries of Okamoto Sanjiro village next to the memorial stele in honor of Dr. Asaba. Photo: Archive

The conference took place over 2 days, December 15-16, with the participation of nearly 250 delegates from within and outside the country. There were 46 presentations (including 15 presentations from Nghe An province delegates) full of enthusiasm, responsibility, and intelligence from professors, doctors, and in-depth researchers on Phan Boi Chau with many different aspects and perspectives.

One of the very special aspects, with profound moral value and humanistic significance that the Conference paid much attention to, was the great, pure and noble friendship between patriot Phan Boi Chau and doctor Asaba Sakitaro.

Previously, to serve the conference, Nghe An province sent a delegation of officials directly to Japan to research and collect documents about the activities of patriot Phan Boi Chau and the Dong Du movement in Japan as well as the great, pure and noble friendship between patriot Phan Boi Chau and doctor Asaba Sakitaro.

During the trip, the delegation visited Fukuroi city, the hometown of Dr. Asaba - who had a great deal of affection for Phan Boi Chau and the Dong Du movement. Despite differences in language, living conditions and status, the harmony of spirit and feelings between the two men created a monument of friendship, true patriotism and noble human values.

In 1908, when the Dong Du movement led by Phan Boi Chau encountered numerous difficulties, Dr. Asaba Sakitaro wholeheartedly helped. After that, Phan Boi Chau returned to his country. In 1918, Phan Boi Chau returned to Japan to find his old benefactor and learned that Dr. Asaba Sakitaro had passed away.

At that time, Phan Boi Chau and the people of Asaba Umeda village, Fukuroi city donated money to erect a memorial stele next to the doctor's grave, expressing their gratitude and infinite sorrow. After a long time, the kindness of Phan Boi Chau as well as the feelings that doctor Asaba Sakitaro and his fellow countrymen had for Phan Boi Chau remained intact.

Delegation of Nghe An officials visited places that preserve the imprint of patriot Phan Boi Chau in Japan. Photo: Ho Ha

Mr. Ho Mau Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, Head of the working delegation said: "The field trip is of great significance, especially the delegation has collected relevant documents on the activities of patriot Phan Boi Chau and the Dong Du movement in Japan to serve the international conference "Patriot Phan Boi Chau - Doctor Asaba Sakitaro and the friendship between Vietnam and Japan" and many additional documents and artifacts for the exhibition house of the Phan Boi Chau Memorial in Nam Dan; documents introducing the relationship between Asaba and Phan Boi Chau, about the Asaba stele in Vietnamese and Japanese".

The workshop “Patriot Phan Boi Chau - Doctor Asaba Sakitaro and the Vietnam - Japan friendship” will add many new documents, as well as clarify the life and career of a passionate patriot who left many deep marks in the history of Vietnam and in the hearts of the people of Nghe An.

According to Party Central Committee Secretary, Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang: “The organization of the International Conference “Patriot Phan Boi Chau - Doctor Asaba Sakytaro and the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Relations” and activities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of patriot Phan Boi Chau in his hometown Nghe An, the birthplace and place where his patriotism and national salvation aspirations were nurtured, is a practical work, not only meaningful in educating about patriotism, the will of independence, self-reliance, and self-reliance of the nation, but also meaningful in educating good values ​​and profound humanity. This is also a very special highlight, creating a premise for the development and reaching a new height in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries Vietnam - Japan”.

Le Thanh - Chau Tuan