A portrait of Tower Hamlets campaigner Len Aldis is among a series of 30 put on display at the headquarters of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations in Ha Noi just before Christmas. The subjects of the oil paintings have been chosen because they have supported Viet Nam in its recovery from war and its development as a sovereign country. From a range of countries (including Laos, Cuba, the UK, Japan, China, Chile and Australia), the subjects also have a variety of backgrounds. Some were able to organise support because of their own positions as politicians or state leaders, such as Chinese President Mao Zedong, Swedish President Olof Palme and Cuban President Fidel Castrol. Others – including writers and journalists – had to organise solidarity at the grass roots.
Len Aldis belongs to the second category. His life as a grassroots campaigner began among the thousands of westerners who demonstrated against the US invasion and occupation of Viet Nam. Just as the war had a lasting effect on the people of Viet Nam, so it evoked a longstanding effort from Len. He set up the UK-Viet Nam Friendship Association in 1992 and has been working to show practical solidarity with Viet Nam and raise awareness of the ongoing suffering of the people of that country.
“The paintings express Viet Nam’s deep gratitude to our international friends for their feelings, sacrifices and contributions to Viet Nam during the fierce wars, as well as during the development process,” said Vu Xuan Hong, Chair of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Associations. He continued, “This is the first time we’ve completed 30 oil paintings portraying Vietnam’s most outstanding friends from five continents, who through their statements and deeds demonstrated their unity with Vietnam. We hope that the exhibition is useful for Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation, in remembering this assistance. For those involved in people-diplomacy, this is an event to help all others know what the world did for Vietnam. That understanding will help guide our nation’s growth today.”
Today, the scourge of war continues: and the example which Len set of giving practical solidarity to victims overseas continues.