On March 1, the Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in Khanh Hoa solemnly organized a ceremony to mark the 75th death anniversary of Dr. Alexandre Yersin (March 1, 1943 – March 1, 2018).
On March 1, the Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in Khanh Hoa solemnly organized a ceremony to mark the 75th death anniversary of Dr. Alexandre Yersin (March 1, 1943 – March 1, 2018). Attending the ceremony were Dao Cong Thien, Vice-Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, and around 250 representatives of the Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in Khanh Hoa, the Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in France and Switzerland, teachers and students of Yersin Junior High School in Nha Trang and Cam Lam.
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Within the framework of the ceremony, the attendees offered incense and flowers to commemorate Dr. Alexandre Yersin at his statue at Yersin Park (Nha Trang) and his tomb in Suoi Dau (Cam Lam District). At the ceremony, the representatives also looked back on the life, career and contributions of Dr. Alexandre Yersin to the world’s medicine as well as his love for Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa and the love of people in Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa towards him.
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Dr. Alexandre Yersin was born in Switzerland in 1863. After receiving the doctorate in France, he worked as a physician in steamships traveling to Indochina (now known as Southeast Asia). In August 1891, Yersin first arrived in Nha Trang where he afterwards lived and worked for the rest of his life.
Dr. Alexandre Yersin discovered the plague bacillus; founded Pasteur Institute Nha Trang; participated actively in the creation of the Medical School of Ha Noi; introduced many precious trees to Vietnam; discovered Hon Ba (Khanh Hoa) and Lang Biang Plateu (Lam Dong). Yersin also often offered helps to the people, especially the poor in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa. Therefore, the locals affectionately called him by a Vietnamese name “Ông Năm” (Mr. Fifth).
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Yersin died at his home in Nha Trang in 1943 and was buried in Suoi Dau. The largest ever number of people in Nha Trang attended his funeral. Every year, people in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa solemnly organize ceremonies to celebrate his birthday and dead anniversary with deep gratitude.
Nowadays, there are many relics of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in Khanh Hoa, such as his laboratory in Hon Ba Natural Reserve, Yersin Museum, Suoi Dau Livestock Farm, and his tomb in Suoi Dau. Besides, many works were named after or associated with Dr. Alexandre Yersin. He is worshipped in a pagoda in Cam Lam District; his statue is solemnly placed at Yersin Park (Nha Trang). Some social organizations bear his name; a scholarship for well-studied students was named after him. In 2013, Dr. Alexandre Yersin was granted posthumous title “Honorary citizen of Vietnam”.
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As said by Nguyen Thi The Tram, Chairman of Khanh Hoa’s Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin, the activities of the association have been more and more diverse, helping a lot of poor people, following the example of Yersin. In 27 years since being established, the association has hold numerous activities helping poor patients and children with disability. Jacques Henri Penseyres, Chairman of the Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin in Switzerland said that preserving and promoting the scientific and cultural values of the great scientist Yersin is a common task. The Swiss Association of Admirers of Dr. Alexandre Yersin has also carried out many practical activities to contribute to spread the great values of Dr. Alexandre Yersin.
Giang Đinh
Translated by H.N
