Artist Phan Thanh Son crafted this enormous calligraphy book based on Hoang Ba Vy’s translation published in 2020 by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House. Besides, the Mr. Son painstakingly added 133 quotes from Uncle Ho in Vietnamese calligraphy on the laminated canvas pages. The book was crafted from the end of 2022 to August 2023.
The book “Nhat Ky Trong Tu” (Prison Diary) and the 133 quotes written in Vietnamese calligraphy has a red doussie cover and measures 131cm x 99cm x 41cm (length x width x height)
The book cover is elaborately designed with red doussie, weighing 150kg
Every sheet has been written by the artist, and one surface features poems from Ho Chi Minh’s Prison Diary in calligraphy on canvas (in Han Nom and Vietnamese). The opposite surface displays images of lotus or Ho Chi Minh President and his remarks. Mr. Son hand-sewn the borders of the text pages with silk brocade on laminated canvas. The pages are 115cm long and 81cm broad. The core of the entire book weighs about 260kg.
Mr. Phan Thanh Son, a calligraphy artist who has been drawn to Vietnamese calligraphy since 1990, is always determined to practice and learn the art of calligraphy, discovering the beauty and art in each word after he retired.
He was awarded the title of Vietnamese Craft Village Artisan by the Vietnam Association of Craft Villages in 2022.
On the morning of August 26, 2023, after expertise processes, the Vietnam Records Organization – VietKings officially granted the Vietnam Record to Mr, Phan Thanh Son. The event took place at the Traditional House of Go Vap District (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). On this occasion, there was also the opening ceremony of the gallery of calligraphy paintings about Uncle Ho’s teachings by the Do Tuc Thien Calligraphy Club.
The representatives of Vietnam Record Association and Vietnam Records Organization – VietKings attended the ceremony, including: Doctor–Lawyer Nguyen Van Vien – Director of Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute, Vice-Chairman of Vietnam Records Association; and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quynh Ngoc – General Secretary of the Vietnam Records Organization. At the event, there was also the presence of Heads of Go Vap District, District Sports and Cultural Center, Veterans Association, calligraphers, family and friends of Record Holder Phan Thanh Son.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quynh Ngoc, General Secretary of the Vietnam Records Organization, announced the Record Setting Decision – Source: VietKings
Doctor–Lawyer Nguyen Van Vien and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quynh Ngoc awarded the Vietnam Record Certificate to Calligraphy Artist Phan Thanh Son– Source: VietKings
Heads of Go Vap District and Vietnam Records Organization and Mr. Son were watching the book
After the event, this book will be displayed at the Traditional House in Go Vap District – Ho Chi Minh City to the public.
