The Russian Writers’
Association has presented a bronze statue of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin
to Ha Noi on the occasion of the 1,000thanniversary of the capital city.

Ha Noil People’s
Committee vice chairwoman Ngo Thi Thanh Hang received the gift at a ceremony in
Ha Noi yesterday, Dec 21.

Addressing the
ceremony, Hang said the gift, and the current working visit by the Russian
Writers’ Association would help strengthen and develop the close ties between
the two capital cities of Ha Noi and Moscow, as well as the two countries.

The statue, which is
60kg and 72cm high, will be placed at the Huu Nghi (Friendship) Park that is now
under construction and is expected to be completed in 2011.

* Actor
does charity star-turn

A
charity programme run by popular actor Chi Bao has sold a self-improvement book
by Zen master Minh Niem to raise money for providing heart and cleft palate
surgeries for poor children.

The programme, called
Hieu ve Trai Tim (Understanding the Heart Programme), has sold 27,000 copies of
Understanding the Heart and the proceeds have funded operations for 78 children
with congenital heart diseases.

Carried out in
co-operation with the Heart Beat Viet Nam and VinaCapital Foundation, the
programme will benefit a further 22 this year.

Bao, deputy president
and manager of the UHP, told a ceremony held to review the programme last week:
“I recently read by chance some stories in [the book] which I found very useful
for myself. The book helps readers understand some basic concepts like
happiness, unhappiness, love, and suffering.

“I introduced the
stories to some people and received positive feedback. So, I decided to gather
friends to publish the book for charity.”

He has also lectured
about the book at clubs attached to dozens of colleges and universities around
the country and firms.

The 50
psychoanalytical stories in Understanding the Heart are simple and practical but
profound, enabling youths to look into their soul.

Niem, the author, has
followers around the world. His writings help readers discover themselves, seek
to sow good traits like generosity and selflessness in their soul, and transform
negative energy caused by anger, envy and other sentiments.

*
UNESCO reaffirms support for Viet Nam

A representative of
UNESCO in Viet Nam affirmed continued assistance to Viet Nam in its preservation
of cultural heritages in 2011.

The organisation will
stand side by side with Viet Nam in preserving and promoting heritage values via
new co-operation programmes and projects, UNESCO Chief representative in Viet
Nam Katherine Muller Marin said at a press briefing in Ha Noi yesterday, Dec 21.

UNESCO recognition of
the doctoral laureates’ steles in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam; Thang Long royal
citadel; Dong Van stone plateau, and Giong festival as world heritages showed
Viet Nam’s success in preserving, promoting and upholding the value of heritages
in 2010, Katherine said.

The success also
represents the efforts and consideration of the government, she said.

The UNESCO Chief
Representative called for Vietnamese people and relevant agencies to be more
responsible in the preservation and popularisation of cultural heritages.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News