The close friendship between Uncle Ho and Picasso

There is a famous decades-long friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and the Spanish painter- Pablo Picasso that you may not have known.

After 35 years of not seeing two like-minded friends who both joined the French Communist Party. In the book, Uncle Ho – “a great love” (Kim Dong Publishing House released in May 2010), besides countless real and touching stories from great domestic and foreign painters and artists about Dear President Ho Chi Minh, the editor also recalled the story of President Ho Chi Minh and Picasso. In 1946, President Ho Chi Minh had an intimate meeting with the painter Picasso. At that time, President Ho Chi Minh went to France to attend the Fontainebleau Conference. Coming to France as the head of state – a guest of France, Uncle still did not forget to visit to pay tribute to an artist friend who witnessed his difficult youth – the painter Pablo Picasso.

Ms. Stenson, an American historian, when researching the life of cultural celebrity Ho Chi Minh said: “In his youth, Nguyen Ai Quoc worked as a waiter at a hotel to travel and communicate with world politicians, not simply to make a living. Nguyen Ai Quoc also plays very closely with famous writers and artists in the world such as Romain Roland, Henri Barbuse, the clown king Charlot and the famous painter Picasso … “.

In 1911, Uncle Ho was then 21 years old, just set foot in France, he met and knew the artist Picasso, then 30 years old and a famous painter in Paris. Through participating in a number of art activities, Uncle Ho had several meetings with Picasso and many other artists in the Clarité (Light) group.

In the book “A great love” there is a passage that repeats Picasso’s words: “I still remember the picture he drew in Le Paria newspaper (Poverty), he signed Nguyen Ai Quoc. That day, I said to Henri Basbusse: “Just these few strokes we can see a thought, a beautiful soul hidden inside”. If he continues on the path of painting, maybe there will also be an artist Nguyen Ai Quoc. But today, Mr. Nguyen is Ho Chi Minh, who is at the forefront of the struggle for the independence and freedom of his people and of other oppressed peoples.

15 years later (August 1961), on the occasion of Picasso’s 80th birthday, Uncle Ho sent you a congratulatory letter.

In his letter, he wrote: “Comrade Picasso belongs to people who are always young, because such people are animated in their souls with a passionate love for Good, for Beauty, for peace, and for humanity. That love led Picasso to communism. And so, the artist will forever keep his youth.”

Later, the granddaughter of the painter Picasso – Marina Picasso – was also very attached to Vietnam. Marina has long been known as an active participant in many humanitarian activities in Vietnam. She established a village for orphans in Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh City with 25 small houses, a row of dormitories, a small clinic, a playground, and a swimming pool. The village has welcomed 350 children during its 20 years of operation.

In addition, Ms. Marina Picasso also supported the Children’s Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City with activities such as raising funds to buy more equipment, supporting professional training courses for doctors and nurses, and building and repairing some hospitals. building in the hospital, giving milk to children…