HCM CITY — A series of activities to highlight the performing arts of the south Việt Nam is being held at the HCM City Pedestrian Book Street from September 23 to October 10.

The event is co-organised by the city Department of Information and Communications and the city's Book Street Company to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Southern Uprising [against the French] Day (September 23, 1945 - 2023).

The programme includes a discussion on the theme of "Performing Arts of Southern Region" featuring the history of various performing arts, including hò-lý (folk chanty and singing), cải lương (reformed opera), hát bội (classical drama), and tài tử music during the two resistance wars against the French and the Americans.

Performances of southern folk music will also be featured

A book showcase titled Lịch Sử, Con Người, Vùng Đất Nam Bộ (History, People and Land of the South) features 50 books on the establishment and development of southern Việt Nam by prestigious Vietnamese historians and researchers such as Nguyễn Đình Tư.

The 103-year-old researcher won the history prize named after the revolutionary and philosopher Prof Trần Văn Giàu with his book Gia Định – Sài Gòn – Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: Dặm Dài Lịch Sử about the three-century history of the city 1698-2020.

Discussions with the authors will be organised as well.

The organisers also host a painting exhibition titled Sắc Màu Thời Gian (Colours of Time) to raise funds for the project of building Nguyễn An Ninh Library, a digital library focusing on the history and development of the South in all fields of politics, administrative activities, economics, society, culture, education, medicine, religion, and sports.

The library is expected to be officially launched on October 10.

In the framework of the event, the organisers have worked with the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities to host a series of discussions about southern history, folk culture, literature, and performing arts for students at the school.