On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of comrade Ly Tu Trong's birth (October 20, 1914 - October 20, 2024), Kim Dong Publishing House introduces two books: The memoir "Ly Tu Trong - Forever His Name" by author Van Tung and the comic book "Ly Tu Trong" by author Hoai Loc - artist Bui Viet Thanh.
The two books have realistically and touchingly portrayed the life and revolutionary career of Ly Tu Trong. Born into a Vietnamese family with a tradition of patriotism in Thailand, Ly Tu Trong - real name Le Huu Trong was raised in the loving care of compatriots, comradeship and was soon enlightened about the Revolution.
In 1925, he was one of eight teenagers selected to join the "Vietnamese Young Pioneers" group to study in Guangzhou (China) under the direct guidance and care of Uncle Ho. At the age of 16, young man Ly Tu Trong returned to Saigon with the mission of establishing the Communist Youth Union.
Talented and brave, Ly Tu Trong's activities contributed to the rise of the revolutionary movement among the masses. He was arrested by the French colonialists when he was only 17 years old. The harsh colonial prison with its savage torture and bribery plots could not subdue the communist soldier Ly Tu Trong.
The communist youth union member who sacrificed himself at the age of 17 is a noble symbol of revolutionary heroism, a call for generations of Vietnamese youth to stand up and fight for national liberation and reunification.
Although Ly Tu Trong's life was short, his revolutionary spirit became a shining example for generations of young people to follow. His immortal saying: "The path of youth is only the revolutionary path, there can be no other path..." has become the ideal of life and the guiding principle for action of Vietnamese youth through the revolutionary periods.
The image of Ly Tu Trong cherishing the book "Truyen Kieu" in a colonial prison more than 90 years ago still moves us deeply.
If the memoir "Ly Tu Trong - Forever Your Name" by author Van Tung is suitable for readers who love literature, in their teenage years, then the comic book "Ly Tu Trong" by the group of authors Hoai Loc - Bui Viet Thanh is suitable for teenage readers and children.
Besides reading the story, the children can see realistic and vivid paintings of Ly Tu Trong through pictures of the hard life of the Vietnamese people under colonial chains in contrast with the life of luxury and brutality of the enemy and his henchmen; the scenes of torture and imprisonment further highlight the loyalty and indomitable will of Ly Tu Trong and the communist soldiers.
The publication of these two special books is an effort by Kim Dong Publishing House to bring traditional educational books closer to readers, creating many publications suitable for different ages, needs, interests, and receptive abilities.
It is also a practical act to show gratitude for the great contributions and strong will of comrade Ly Tu Trong and previous generations who devoted their whole lives to the Revolution and to the country of Vietnam.
