Meritorious Artist Chi Trung and his difficult journey with the title of People's Artist

Meritorious Artist Chi Trung is a familiar face and is loved by many audiences through his role as Traffic God in the Tao Quan program for many years.

He shared with Dan Tri reporter: "In the comedy field, I feel lucky because I am not a charming actor like Xuan Bac, Quang Thang, Quoc Khanh, Cong Ly or Van Dung... I consider myself far behind.

But I have something that before Mr. Khai Hung, later Do Thanh Hai, assessed as "suitable for deep comedic roles".

NSƯT Chí Trung và hành trình lận đận với danh hiệu Nghệ sĩ nhân dân - 1 — Meritorious Artist Chi Trung (Photo: Toan Vu).

During nearly 45 years of artistic activities, Chi Trung also took on hundreds of roles - famous dramatic characters of the world and Vietnam in tragedies such as: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth, The 9th Oath, Tro doi, Tran Thu Do...

In the film industry, Chi Trung has had impressive roles in the works: The Lady and the Tycoon, Long Tri Night Festival, The Road to Thang Long Citadel and most recently the TV series The Narrow Alley.

Recently, according to Decision No. 724/QD-CTN signed by President Vo Van Thuong on June 22, 2023, 77 individuals were awarded the title of People's Artist. Chi Trung was absent from this list, although his name was among the 136 Meritorious Artists previously submitted to the State Council.

However, according to Dan Tri reporter's private source, this is only the list of 77 artists who were awarded the title of People's Artist by the President in the first round. The title is awarded to artists who have clear achievements, background and are eligible for the title of People's Artist.

The list of artists considered for the title of People's Artist will be "extended" after the President reviews it in the second round. Therefore, artists whose names are not on the list of 77 artists awarded the title of People's Artist in June 2023 may be added in the next round.

Previously, Chi Trung had failed to win this title twice. In 2015, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung failed to win the People's Artist title right from the Ministry Council. After the results were out, he expressed confusion about the selection criteria.

"Is it true that the criteria for selecting the title of People's Artist are quite vague, complicated and unfair? Because in reality, there are people who have not won any gold medals but still achieved this title. There are many artists who have been awarded the title but the public does not know who they are," Chi Trung once shared.

At that time, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung said that after nearly 30 years of working on stage, he had won 6 gold medals and 8 silver medals at various festivals. Since being awarded the title of Meritorious Artist, Chi Trung has also won many awards at various festivals.

From 1997 to 2015, he also won 2 gold medals and 2 silver medals, 21 times won the title of Emulation Fighter of the Theater, 3 times at the Ministry level, and was commended by the Prime Minister. In 2013, he won a gold medal at the Luu Quang Vu Drama Festival.

Chi Trung also denied the information that he had filled out the application form incorrectly as some members of the Review Board shared. The male artist said that from the beginning, he had filled out the application form and filled out all the necessary items. Even the Youth Theater had checked and supplemented the information for him.

At that time, "Traffic God" also said that comedians are often not favored as much as dramatic artists in the selection process. He expressed that the title of People's Artist is not his purpose in life.

"If the noble title of People's Artist was selected fairly, naturally and recognized the artists' achievements and artistic values, artists like Xuan Hinh, Thanh Loc... would have deserved to be recognized with the title of People's Artist a long time ago," he said.

Impressive quotes of Meritorious Artist Chi Trung in the program "Tao Quan" over the years (Video: Youtube).

In 2018, the list of artists considered for the title of People's Artist continued to lack Chi Trung.

In response to public concerns, the Head of the Department of Emulation and Commendation, Mr. Phung Huy Can, said that at that time, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung was the acting Director of the Youth Theater, a unit under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, so the consideration of awarding the title had to be proposed by the Theater to the Ministerial Council.

However, the competent authority did not receive artist Chi Trung's application.

In a conversation with Dan Tri not long ago, a reporter asked Chi Trung: "Dedicating nearly 45 years to the stage and arts, but only after retirement was you proposed to be awarded the title of People's Artist, are you still "interested" in that title?"

Chi Trung replied: "Saying "salty" is a bit too much, but if you like it, everyone likes it. But if you like it but have to struggle and exceed your ability, it's not my style. Whatever comes, comes. I've been a Meritorious Artist for 30 years."

"Traffic Apple" confided that every time he reviews, he makes a profile, it's like chasing a beautiful girl for a long time but if he can't get her, the feelings will gradually fade.

Talking about his current life, Chi Trung shared: "I used to be very happy and there were times when I was so unhappy that I thought I couldn't overcome it, but then I learned one thing: in this world, everyone born and living has a destiny, a blessing, a fate.

I realized that I had forgotten a very important person, myself. Now, I take care of myself by reducing drinking and exercising every day to stay healthy."

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