Love of poetry is in the blood, why do Vietnamese people turn their backs on poetry?

Poet Truong Anh Tu (left) interacts with poetry lovers - Photo: T.DIEU

Poet Truong Anh Tu shared with Tuoi Tre Online on the occasion of the launch of his new poetry collection called Mother's White Clouds and Hair (Kim Dong Publishing House) on April 13 in Hanoi.

Many poets are escaping from life

The poetry launch was attended by many familiar faces in the fields of literature, criticism, publishing in Hanoi and children.

At the launch, children enthusiastically participated in poetry games, including a quick poetry writing game using some keywords given by the organizers.

Many poems that the children wrote right at the event surprised the attendees. And what was even more surprising was the children's enthusiasm in "playing" with poetry.

Poet Truong Anh Tu told Tuoi Tre Online he was not surprised by children's love of words and poetry.

He believes that the love of poetry of the Vietnamese people is in their blood. The problem for the poet is only whether he can bring sincerity to the readers in his verses.

He regrets that many poets are escaping from life, causing readers to turn their backs on poetry.

"The worst thing about Vietnamese poetry today is that poets escape from life. You cannot bring the rhythm of your soul into your poetry, but pay too much attention to form, wanting your poetry to be new, difficult to understand, modern...

That is not the purpose of poetry. The purpose of poetry is to speak the human soul. The novelty of poetry must lie in the very essence of life in poetry. Poetry must carry the breath of the times," said poet Truong Anh Tu.

Poetry collection White clouds and mother's hair by Truong Anh Tu - Photo: T.DIEU

Poetry to pay the debt on the shoulder

Regarding Truong Anh Tu's poetry, critic Pham Xuan Nguyen was impressed with the rich and beautiful Vietnamese in the poetry of a person who has lived abroad for many years.

Truong Anh Tu said that he has lived abroad for nearly 40 years, and sometimes he misses his homeland and longs to hear and speak Vietnamese. Perhaps poetry is the place where he can satisfy his longing for Vietnamese, so that he can repay the "debt on his shoulders" to his distant homeland.

Truong Anh Tu has been writing poetry and composing music since the 1990s. He has published many poetry collections.

This time, Mother's White Clouds and Hair with poems close to all ages, was selected for printing by Kim Dong Publishing House.

The collection of poems is about simple yet subtle feelings about familiar and loving things around, about loving family affection.

The ethereal illustrations of young artist Quyen Thai, known for her dreamy drawing style and bright, warm colors, make this collection of emotional poems even more touching to young readers.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tinh-yeu-tho-nam-san-trong-mau-sao-nguoi-viet-quay-lung-voi-tho-20250413212124536.htm