UNESCO Representative in Vietnam: Ho Xuan Huong was ahead of her time, using her lyrics to fight for gender equality and human rights

- Dear Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc - Politburo member, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

- Dear Mr. Phan Dinh Trac - Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission;

- Dear leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, members of the Party Central Committee, Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, central departments, ministries, branches, domestic and international experts and scholars.

Dear guests!

I am honored to represent UNESCO here with you to attend the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Poet Ho Xuan Huong right in her hometown.

First of all, please allow me to express my sincere thanks to the People's Committee of Nghe An province for organizing a series of extremely meaningful events to commemorate this famous person. This is an opportunity for us to honor the life of an outstanding personality and promote her cultural values ​​in the international community.

Mr. Christian Manhart - Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam spoke at the Ceremony to honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth (1772-2022) and 200th anniversary of the death (1822-2022) of Poet Ho Xuan Huong. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Ladies and gentlemen, at the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris in November 2021, 193 member countries unanimously adopted a resolution that UNESCO will join in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Poet Ho Xuan Huong.

Vietnam's proposal was supported by many member countries and convinced 193 members of UNESCO, because Poet Ho Xuan Huong is one of the typical female poets of Asia.

And what is special is that during her lifetime, she demonstrated a mindset that transcended her time, an activist for gender equality from the very beginning. This was a highlight in the social context of the 18th-19th centuries. And so, she was the one who pursued the ideals and priorities that later became the mission of UNESCO.

Leaders of the Party, State, ministries, central and local sectors attended the ceremony. Photo: Thanh Cuong

She was a person ahead of her time, using her lyrics to fight for gender equality and human rights. Her poetry expressed profound humanistic thoughts, the desire for the right to life, the right to justice, the right to love and happiness for everyone, especially women.

UNESCO believes that all forms of gender-based discrimination are an obstacle to building a peaceful and sustainable future. Despite progress in recent years, gender gaps persist in some parts of the world, including gaps in equal access to education for children and women. That is why gender equality remains one of UNESCO’s top two global priorities.

In Viet Nam, UNESCO works closely with national partners to ensure that gender issues are addressed within the school context, so that girls and boys are supported in an enabling environment.

Mr. Christian Manhart - Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam presented Resolution No. 41C/15 of UNESCO honoring and participating in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth (1772-1822) of Vietnamese poetess Ho Xuan Huong to the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Ladies and gentlemen!

Once again, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the People's Committee of Nghe An province for organizing this important event today. I would also like to thank the National Commission for UNESCO and the Central agencies for their long-term and effective support and cooperation to realize the ideals of UNESCO in Vietnam.

I wish you a successful evening and look forward to working with you to strengthen the cooperative relationship between UNESCO and Vietnam.

Thanks!

(Title by Nghe An Newspaper)