Hue: The book ‘Ham Nghi – Exiled Emperor, Artist in Algeria’ was launched on November 5 in Hue imperial city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, shedding light on the exiled Vietnamese emperor’s artistic legacy. The book was published in Vietnamese last month, as a 500-page volume, compiled by Dr. Amandine Dabat, Ham Nghi’s fifth-generation descendant. The book explores the dual identity of the emperor as a patriot and an artist during his exile in France and Algeria.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the book was originally published in French by Sorbonne Press in 2019 and is a comprehensive exploration of Ham Nghi’s life and work. It contains 71 pages of artwork, 12 pages of sculptures, and 68 pages of archival photographs and correspondence, providing an in-depth look at the emperor’s creative pursuits alongside his historical significance. The volume seeks to offer a new perspective on Ham Nghi, highlighting his contributions to art in addition to his political legacy.