ZUBAIR QURESHI
Islamabad
The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), under the National Heritage and Culture Division, Tuesday launched the Urdu translation of Prison Diary, the celebrated poetic work of Vietnamese revolutionary leader, poet and founder of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh.
The launch ceremony was held at the Sheikh Ayaz Conference Hall of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and attended by diplomats from ASEAN countries, writers, intellectuals and literary figures.
Ambassador of Thailand Rong Vudhī Virabutr, Malaysian High Commissioner Dato’ Muhammad Azhar Mazlan, Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner Colonel (Retd.) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Cuban Ambassador Damian Cordero Torres, Indonesian Chargé d’Affaires Rahmat Hindiarta and Myanmar Chargé d’Affaires Maung Maung Thon were among the distinguished guests.
The ceremony was moderated by Dr Hamza Hassan Sheikh.
Welcoming the guests, PAL Chairperson Prof Dr Najiba Arif said Prison Diary was not merely an account of a revolutionary leader but also a poetic expression of human freedom, hope, courage and determination.
She said the Urdu translation had been undertaken under a memorandum of understanding signed between the Pakistan Academy of Letters and Vietnam, describing the initiative as an important milestone in strengthening literary and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Dr Najiba said the academy was also committed to further strengthening literary links with ASEAN countries.
At the conclusion of her address, she led a Fatiha for renowned writer, poet and intellectual Haleem Qureshi, who had passed away during a ceremony at the Pakistan Academy of Letters the previous day, and paid tribute to his literary services.
Prof Munir Fayyaz and former ambassador Salahuddin Chaudhry discussed different aspects of Prison Diary, Ho Chi Minh’s personality, poetry and political struggle. They also presented selected verses from the work. Presiding over the session, Imdad Akash described Ho Chi Minh as a symbol of courage, resistance and freedom for oppressed nations and recited selected verses from the book.
Vietnamese diplomatic representative Phan Anh Toan thanked Dr Najiba Arif and the Pakistan Academy of Letters for promoting the Urdu edition. He said Ho Chi Minh’s poetry reflected Vietnamese national thought, freedom and sovereignty.
He described the Urdu and English translations of Prison Diary as significant developments in strengthening literary relations between Pakistan and Vietnam.
Considered an important literary work of the 20th century, Prison Diary gives poetic expression to imprisonment, loneliness and human suffering while conveying themes of freedom, hope, courage and steadfast determination.
The Urdu translation has been rendered by Kausar Khanum, while Najma Saqib carried out its revision.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Phan Anh Toan presented commemorative gifts to the PAL chairperson, speakers and organisers. Dr Najiba Arif presented distinguished guests with gift packages containing publications of the Pakistan Academy of Letters.
The diplomatic representatives and other guests later visited a book exhibition and cultural stall arranged by the Embassy of Vietnam at the academy. They were introduced to books showcasing Vietnam’s literary and cultural heritage as well as various cultural artefacts.
The ceremony underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan, Vietnam and ASEAN countries to promoting literary and cultural cooperation, mutual understanding and stronger people-to-people ties.
