Ho Chi Minh City's literary and artistic flow 50 years: A hinge to open the future

Cantonese play To Anh Nguyet commemorates a Vietnamese artist - People's Artist Phung Ha - Photo: BTC

Mr. Tran Huy Chi, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities:

Ethnic minorities are not on the "periphery"

Over 300 years of formation and development of Saigon - Gia Dinh, now Ho Chi Minh City, the Chinese, Cham, and Khmer ethnic communities have worked with other ethnic communities to build Ho Chi Minh City into a multicultural city that respects its unique national characteristics and develops together. That shows the "attractiveness", the true meaning of "good land attracts birds" of this land.

When mentioning 50 years of the city's literature and arts, it is impossible not to mention the presence and nurturing of these communities. It is their contribution that diversifies and enriches the art forms in the city through works imbued with the traditions of each ethnic group. For example, ink paintings, calligraphy, Cantonese and Teochew opera, Cham and Khmer literature...

Currently, the group of artists from ethnic minorities is large in number and strong in organization. From about 60 members of three ethnic groups of Hoa, Cham, and Khmer, it has now grown to more than 200 members regularly participating in nine specialized groups and other affiliated units.

In the new context, to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, I still hope the city continues to care and have educational policies for human communities.

They must learn Vietnamese in general and ethnic languages ​​in particular. Especially in education, they must be deeply imbued with the traditional culture of their own community. For example, the Chinese must understand the culture of the Chinese ethnic group, the same goes for the Cham and Khmer ethnic groups...

Along with that are investments in educational institutions and cultural institutions for ethnic minorities. Only then can we go far.

Writer Bich Ngan, President of Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association:

All is still ahead

In the field of literature, Ho Chi Minh City has more than 20 authors who have won the Ho Chi Minh Prize, the State Prize for Literature and Arts, and many other names who have contributed significantly to the development of the city from the 1990s until now through their persistent and continuous creative activities.

Writer Bich Ngan (chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association):

Some names include Che Lan Vien, Nguyen Khai, Nguyen Quang Sang, Anh Duc, Le Van Thao, Vu Hanh, Son Nam, Trang The Hy, Nguyen Truong Thien Ly, Nguyen Manh Tuan, Tran Van Tuan, Nhat Tuan, Nguyen Duy, Van Le, Muong Man, Nguyen Nhat Anh, Ly Lan, Nguyen Dong Thuc...

They wrote not only with their talent but also with their lives. Their works have stood the test of time. Whatever you do, I think you should cherish and preserve them first, only when you preserve them can you promote and spread them.

Continuing that legacy, the flow of young literature in Ho Chi Minh City is constantly being nurtured with many new creative aspirations. However, the young literature of the city today seems to be developing strongly in breadth but lacking in depth. But I believe that everything is ahead.

Over the years, the association has also made efforts to create conditions to contribute to discovering, gathering and nurturing young writers with literary talent through many activities such as opening writing camps for young writers, conferences for young writers, literary awards for young authors, connecting literary exchange activities with some countries in the Asian region...

These activities need to be maintained and expanded in both scale and quality, and young people’s works need to be printed and published. This is truly a motivation for young writers to keep the flame of passion for their profession alive.

Mr. Pham Viet Phuoc, Director of TFS Film Studio:

Sometimes we go slow

TFS has just completed the 37-episode documentary Overcoming the Waves to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification. When we started working on it, we were truly proud and admired the will of our predecessors. We felt a responsibility to convey that pride.

Mr. Pham Viet Phuoc (Director of TFS Film Studio)

Art is culture. Culture is very important, along with other fields to move society forward.

Making a good cultural product will affect people's enjoyment. The culture and art of our country and Ho Chi Minh City are always changing.

But in the strong development of digital technology, sometimes we are still slow.

TFS is currently facing many difficulties in fierce competition. And that persistent difficulty stems from the change in audience habits.

In order to survive, we must change and overcome difficulties.

There is no reason for us to give up. Giving up means destroying the values ​​that the past 50 years of Ho Chi Minh City's art and culture have built. We understand that we need to strive to pursue and create more cultural products to meet the enjoyment needs of the audience.

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DAU DUNG - HOANG LE