Pakistan Academy of Letters Launches Urdu Translation of Ho Chi Minh’s ‘Prison Diary’

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), under the National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan, organized a ceremony in Islamabad to launch the Urdu translation of Prison Diary, the renowned poetic work of Vietnamese revolutionary leader, poet and founder of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh.

The ceremony was held at the Sheikh Ayaz Conference Hall of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and was attended by diplomatic representatives from several ASEAN countries, along with prominent writers, intellectuals and literary figures.

Among the distinguished guests were Ambassador of Thailand Rong Vudhī Virabutr, High Commissioner of Malaysia Dato’ Muhammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Colonel (Retd.) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Ambassador of Cuba Damian Cordero Torres, Chargé d’Affaires of Indonesia Rahmat Hindiarta and Chargé d’Affaires of Myanmar Maung Maung Thon.

The ceremony was moderated by Dr. Hamza Hassan Sheikh.

In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters Prof. Dr. Najiba Arif said Prison Diary was not merely an account of a revolutionary leader but also a powerful poetic expression of human freedom, hope, courage and determination.

She said the Urdu translation of the work 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 Arif also expressed her commitment to further promoting literary and cultural ties between Pakistan and ASEAN countries.

At the conclusion of her address, she led a Fatiha for renowned writer, poet and intellectual Haleem Qureshi, who passed away during a ceremony at the Pakistan Academy of Letters the previous day, and paid tribute to his valuable contributions to literature.

Prof. Munir Fayyaz and former Ambassador Salahuddin Chaudhry spoke about various aspects of Prison Diary, Ho Chi Minh’s personality, poetry and struggle, and 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 Prison Diary.

Vietnamese diplomatic representative Phan Anh Toan thanked Dr. Najiba Arif and the Pakistan Academy of Letters for organizing the event and 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 promoting literary relations between Pakistan and Vietnam.

Regarded as an important literary work of the 20th century, Prison Diary gives poetic expression to imprisonment, loneliness and human suffering while highlighting themes of freedom, hope, courage and unwavering determination.

The Urdu translation has been rendered by Ms. Kausar Khanum, while Ms. Najma Saqib carried out its revision.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Phan Anh Toan presented commemorative gifts to the Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, speakers and organizers. Dr. Najiba Arif also presented distinguished guests with gift packages containing publications of the Pakistan Academy of Letters.

Following the ceremony, diplomatic representatives and other distinguished guests visited a book exhibition and cultural stall arranged by the Embassy of Vietnam at the Pakistan Academy of Letters. The visitors were introduced to books showcasing Vietnam’s rich literary and cultural heritage, along with a variety of cultural artifacts.

The event underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan, Vietnam and ASEAN countries to promoting literary and cultural cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties.