Placing a symbol of gratitude to missionary Francisco de Pina in Portugal
On November 26, 2023, at the flower garden of Eduardo Lourenco library, Guarda city - Portugal, the foundation to honor Vietnamese language & national language held a solemn ceremony, placing a symbol of gratitude to missionary Francisco de Pina - who began the method of recording Vietnamese using Latin characters, now called the national language
The ceremony had the presence of Dr. Suzana Menezes - Regional Cultural Director of the Center, Mr. Sérgio Costa – Chairman of Guarda City Council, Vice President Amélia Fernandes; Bishop of the Diocese of Guarda, D. Manuel da Rocha Felício; Dr. António Salvado Morgado, representatives from ministries, branches, associations and organizations of Guarda City and nearly 30 Vietnamese intellectuals from Vietnam and other countries.
According to Professor - Dr. Nguyen Dang Hung - Chairman of the Executive Board of the Foundation to Honor Vietnamese Language & National Language (FHVL&NL): After many years of preparation, the symbol of gratitude to missionary Francisco De Pina has been designed, transported and installed right in the hometown of missionary Francisco De Pina - the city of Guarda, Portugal by members of the FHVL&NL. The symbol of gratitude was designed by author Huy Anh and Bich Thuy - General Secretary of FHVL&NL, modeled after the shape of a 17th century sailboat, with the Dong Son bronze drum embossed below, a symbol of the ancient civilization of Dai Viet. Then, it was cast by artisan Duong Ngoc Tien using bronze material in Phuoc Kien village, Thanh Chiem district, Quang Nam province.
The sail has 2 parts. The vertical part of the sail records the words of gratitude in 3 languages: Vietnamese, English, and Portuguese as follows: “This stele is a symbol of gratitude to Father FRANCISCO DE PINA, the first people who created the national language, Vietnamese writing uses Latin characters”.
The wind-filled sail section, reprinting the original text of missionary Pina’s handwriting, includes 6 musical staves, clearly stating the 6 tones of Vietnamese and explanations next to it. The image of a sail filled with wind, heading straight out to sea symbolizes the prosperous development of Vietnam. At the ceremony, Mr. Sérgio Costa - Chairman of Guarda City Council said: “Missionary Francisco De Pina (1585 - 1625) came to Vietnam in 1617. He overcame language and cultural barriers, spoke fluent Vietnamese and pioneered the use of the Latin alphabet and tones. The melody captures the sounds of Vietnamese culture.
Today, Vietnamese language is a living testament to the cultural encounter between Vietnam and Portugal, being the earliest language in the Far East to use Latin letters. We greatly appreciate the implementation of this symbol of the FHVL&NL as it represents the Vietnamese people’s gratitude for the origin of the National Language and continues to develop friendship and understanding between two peoples”.
After the ceremony, a group of Vietnamese intellectuals also organized a night to honor the Vietnamese language and the national language by speaking Vietnamese, reciting poetry, and singing Vietnamese music right in the hometown of missionary Francisco de Pina.
Saigon New Day
Từ khóa : vườn hoa thư viện Eduardo Lourenco, thành phố Guarda, Bồ Đào Nha, tôn vinh tiếng Việt, chữ quốc ngữ, Francisco de Pina
