Poetry in Vietnamese life

On the evening of February 22, 2024, the Son La Provincial Literature and Arts Association organized the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day with the theme "The Harmony of the Country"

Poetry has an important position in the flow of national history.

For generations, poetry has always played an indispensable role as spiritual food in life. Poetry is the "voice of the soul", the "windy sail" that gives wings to dreams and ambitions to reach far. That role is not only shown through entertainment needs but also in the fields of study, labor and combat, becoming a beautiful, unique and indispensable cultural feature of the Vietnamese people.

Since ancient times, when there was no written language, poetry has appeared in the lives of Vietnamese people. Many folk songs and proverbs with rhymes, easy to remember, and easy to learn are still preserved, exist and used in daily life. When writing was invented, poetry further developed, from the ancient poetry forms of Co Phong, Duong Luat to the genres of Han Luat, Luc Bat, Song That Luc Bat, and then to modern, free verse poetry today.

Poetry is the best, if not the only, method to demonstrate intellectual talent and express the poet's feelings. That is why in the old examinations, the topics were only about poetry commentary and poetry composition. The famous people mentioned most by later generations were either generals or poets. Most of them were a combination of both. Everyone knows the name of Grand Chancellor Ly Thuong Kiet, besides the battle on the Nhu Nguyet River, is also associated with the divine poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha". The poem in "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" by Nguyen Trai is even more famous than the battles of Ham Tu and Chi Lang. And King Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue with "Hich Xuat Quan", President Ho Chi Minh with "Nguyen Tieu" and many other poems all show how well the heroes of the past used poetry as a weapon and how important poetry is in the flow of national history.

Famous authors of the past from Le Thanh Tong, Truong Han Sieu, Mac Dinh Chi, Le Quy Don, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Du, Ho Xuan Huong, Doan Thi Diem... to later modern poets such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Tu Xuong, Nguyen Khuyen, Tan Da... and modern poets such as Nguyen Binh, Che Lan Vien, To Huu, Xuan Dieu, Han Mac Tu, Xuan Quynh, Luu Quang Vu..., all have a long-lasting, solemn place in the hearts of many Vietnamese people.

Poetry is also the material for musicians to compose timeless songs... The songs "Boat and the Sea", "Love Poems at the End of Autumn", composed by musician Phan Huynh Dieu from the works of poet Xuan Quynh, have left a strong impression on the public. Musician Phu Quang also has many famous songs composed from poetry such as "The Sea of ​​Memories and You" adapted from the poem "Poetry Written on the Sea" by poet Huu Thinh, "Dau Phai Due Mua Thu" adapted from the poem "Yen Tinh" by poet Giang Van and the song "Em Oi Ha Noi Pho" adapted from the poem "Em Oi Ha Noi Pho" by Phan Vu. "Truong Son Dong, Truong Son Tay" by musician Hoang Hiep is also adapted from the poem of the same name by poet Pham Tien Duat; the song "Light Up the Fire, Em" by musician Huy Du is adapted from the poem "Squadron of Glassless Vehicles" also by poet Pham Tien Duat.

Poetry always resonates in any situation, in loss, pain, or joy, hope. During the COVID-19 pandemic, poems are still published in newspapers and magazines. Poetry collections are also published regularly. On social networks, poems spread strongly and have a rich life. Not only poets who are members of the Vietnam Writers Association, but also students, intellectuals, workers... also enter this world, using poems to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. In particular, there are poems, collections of poems, and even epic poems on the topic of COVID prevention and control, talking about Vietnamese people, their bravery, attitude towards life, and the way each person behaves when facing the pandemic.

Poetry was born from the demands of life and of course poetry returned to life. This proves that poetry occupies an extremely important position in the life of Vietnamese people and having a festival to honor poetry in the country "with a sword on the back, a soft hand with a flower pen", the second most poetry-loving country in the world is a unique and special thing.

Listen to “The Harmony of the Country”

With the theme "Harmony of the Country", the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day, 2024, will take place on February 23 and 24, 2024, at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

According to poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, choosing the theme "The Harmony of the Country" with the spirit of great national unity, the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). "For the first time, representatives of cultural regions and poetic voices of ethnic groups will gather at Thang Long Imperial Citadel on Vietnam Poetry Day. They will speak together about the beauty of their people to blend together to create the identity of Vietnamese culture".

Accordingly, there will be a discussion "From the poet's character to his identity" and a poetry night called "The Harmony of the Country". The main content of the poetry night includes 4 parts: Performance and reading of poems by authors from the Northern region; International poets participating in the exchange and reading of poems; Performance and reading of poems by authors from the Central Highlands and the Southern region; The echoes that remain forever. The works performed include poems and epics: Hundred birds and hundreds of flowers by the Tay ethnic group, De dat de nuoc by the Muong ethnic group, Xong chu xon xao (Farewell to the lover) by the Thai ethnic group. These are all poetic masterpieces in the folk literature treasure of the ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Along with that, poems by 16 domestic and international authors will be read directly by the authors or performed by poets and artists. Some of the poets whose works will be presented at the poetry night include: Nong Quoc Chan, Duong Khau Luong (Tay ethnic group), Lo Ngan Sun (Giay ethnic group), Po Sao Min (Pa Di ethnic group), Ly Huu Luong (Dao ethnic group), Kieu Mai Ly (Cham ethnic group), Thach Do Ni (Khmer ethnic group), Thai Hong (Hoa ethnic group), Bui Tuyet Mai (Muong ethnic group)...

The space of the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day also has many notable highlights. The main events will take place on the sacred axis of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, from Doan Mon Gate to Hanoi Flag Tower. In particular, the Nguyen Tieu Poetry Night is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month, so the moon was chosen as the design language of the art space.

Specifically, the poetry gate is a crescent moon winding its way to fullness on the full moon day. Passing through the poetry gate is a poetry path decorated with stylized young leaves with patterns on the costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups. On each leaf is written a beautiful poem, selected by the organizing committee. There will be a total of 54 poems, corresponding to the number of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Next is the poetry tree, on top of which is a half moon, below which are 54 poetic riddles hung on the branches. The audience can participate in the quiz: read the poem, name the author correctly and receive a prize. The final destination is the main stage - a full moon, ending the journey of the crescent moon from the poetry gate to the place where the poetry night takes place.

In addition, in the middle of the sacred axis, this year the organizing committee continues to build the Memory House space. This will be the place to display memorabilia, artifacts, and works of 12 typical poets, namely the poet - President Ho Chi Minh and 11 ethnic poets who have won the Ho Chi Minh Prize for literature and art. Notably, the Memory House is designed in the architectural shape of a long house of the Central Highlands people.

In addition, the unique characteristics of ethnic groups are also exploited to create the space of the Poetry Day. Specifically, the brocade pattern effect is shown on the main stage and all items of the poetry gate, poetry road, poetry tree, poetry shop, and memory house. Or experiencing the space of arranging jars of rice wine, throwing cones with good poems for good luck at the beginning of the year... are also significant activities that create a space that closely follows the theme of this year's Vietnam Poetry Day.

TH (according to Tin Tuc newspaper)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/tho-trong-doi-song-nguoi-viet-373686.html