The coastal city of Hà Tiên in Kiên Giang Province yesterday opened the memorial complex of Chiêu Anh Các, a literary and poetry society established in the city in 1736.

A performance celebrates Chiêu Anh Các, a literary and poetry society, in Hà Tiên City. Photo from maivien.com

The construction celebrates the 283rd anniversary of the society and the 2019 Hà Tiên Tourism Year.

The complex, covering an area of 14,000 square metres, is located in the Bình San Mountain Cultural and Historical Area in Bình San District.

It consists of a 198-sq.m house with two storeys, a flower garden and an outdoor stage, costing more than VNĐ15 billion (US$644,500).

The complex displays literary works and poems by Chiêu Anh Các’s members, including the poem collections Hà Tiên thập cảnh khúc vịnh (Ten landscapes in Hà Tiên), and Minh Bột di ngư (The last fisherman in Minh Bột).

Literary and art works by contemporary artists from the province and across Việt Nam are featured as well.

The complex is also a venue for cultural exchanges and gatherings of local artists and visitors.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn, the city’s Party Committee Secretary and chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, said the complex aimed to preserve the city’s culture and traditional, and promote the love of literature and arts among people in Hà Tiên and the southern region.

Chiêu Anh Các was established on the 15th day of the first lunar month in 1736 by Mạc Thiên Tích, a leader of Hà Tiên.

The society attracted dozens of talented writers, poets and painters in the region.

Their works praised the beauty of landscapes and daily working life of people in the coastal city. They also encouraged local people to raise their awareness about the need to protect the nation. – VNS