The event sees the presence of UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay. Source: Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO

The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House has coordinated with the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring more than 300 books written about President Ho Chi Minh and paintings and photos about him displayed at an event honouring the late President held at UNESCO headquarters in France.

This is part of the activities in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the adoption of UNESCO Resolution 24C/18.65 honouring the late President, held by the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies at home and abroad.

The 24th General Conference of UNESCO in 1987 adopted the resolution which recommended that the director-general and member states celebrate the centenary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh (1890-1990) – a Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture of Vietnam.

Around 200 participants who are leading officials and members of the UNESCO Secretariat, heads of other countries’ permanent delegations, and ambassadors to UNESCO, visited a photo exhibition featuring the late President’s life and career.

Addressing the event, Assistant to the Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted the significance of the resolution, affirming that the adoption is a recognition of President Ho Chi Minh’s great contributions to the common struggle of the world's people against oppression and injustice, for national independence and social progress; and honours noble ideals, cultural identity and aspirations of the late leader in particular and the Vietnamese people for a world of peace, equality and happiness.

UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu spoke at the ceremony on behalf of UNESCO. Source: Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO

UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu expressed his honour to attend the event and stressed that President Ho Chi Minh has left an imprint on human history.

He affirmed that with the UNESCO making this decision, member states all want to honour those who have always pursued an ideal in which the power of education and culture can nurture the identity and aspirations of the peoples.

Coming to the ceremony, many people carried a special affection for Uncle Ho. French historian Alain Ruscio, who has had many works and studies on President Ho Chi Minh, said that it is of great significance that UNESCO, an international organization, commemorates his merits and life.

According to him, President Ho Chi Minh is well known in Vietnam and around the world, but the recognition of his role by an international organization and especially highlighting two themes are also two great struggles in his life, it was the struggle for peace and the struggle for culture. Moreover, the recognition of a major international organization known around the world for the role of President Ho Chi Minh is a sign of ideological progress.

Photo exhibition featuring the late President’s life and career. Source: Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO

Elisabeth Helfer Aubrac, who President Ho Chi Minh adopted as a goddaughter in France, points at the photo of President Ho Chi Minh holding her. He often called her with an intimate name Babette. Source: Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO

Elisabeth Helfer Aubrac, the goddaughter of President Ho Chi Minh in France, emphasized the profundity of the moment.

"Being here today and attending this celebration on the grounds of UNESCO is proof that freedom, democracy and culture have come to be. In 1946, when Uncle Ho was living at my parents' house, who could have imagined that one day he would be honored like this. I felt that was very important and I was very proud."

The event also saw the presence of UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay who had come to congratulate and share the wonderful memories during her recent visit to Vietnam.

The gathering at UNESCO Headquarters was held following the success of meetings and launching ceremony of the book titled "The feelings of the world's people for President Ho Chi Minh", the exhibition featuring President Ho Chi Minh's life and career and the international conference themed "Ho Chi Minh Heritage for Humanity" has just taken place at the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Around 200 participants who are leading officials and members of the UNESCO Secretariat, heads of other countries’ permanent delegations, and ambassadors to UNESCO at the event. Source: Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO

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