Literature and art in the period of innovation

The Cai Luong play "The Season of Falling Birds" performed by the Ben Tre Cai Luong Art Troupe, before 2005. Photo courtesy

Propaganda to build civilized lifestyle

In the initial stages of implementing the Party's renovation from 1986 - 1990, 1990 - 1995, people's lives gradually stabilized, some people's material life improved, their economic activities had higher incomes than before due to capital, skills, and business knowledge. People's spiritual lives gradually improved, the level of cultural and artistic enjoyment was richer and more diverse than before. Many households bought televisions, cassettes, and radios, so they could grasp information about socio-economics, science and technology.

During this period, culture and arts focused on restoring and protecting traditional cultural forms, promoting the building of a civilized and cultural life, eliminating backward customs, raising awareness of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and educating the nation and homeland's traditions. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Literature and Arts Association continuously organized many creative campaigns of various types of literature and arts to participate in regional and national competitions.

Cultural and artistic management has been strengthened. The building of civilized lifestyles, cultural families, and new rural areas associated with the people's self-management movement in communes and wards continues to develop. There have been clear efforts and changes in all areas, aiming to promote the role of people as both the driving force and the goal of the country's innovation.

Poet Kim Ba - Chairman of the Nguyen Dinh Chieu Literature and Arts Association commented: In the light of the Party's resolutions on culture and literature and arts, notably the Resolution of the 5th Central Committee, Session VIII "On building and developing an advanced Vietnamese literature imbued with national identity", Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2008 of the Politburo (Session X) "On continuing to build and develop literature and arts in the new period" and later Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW dated June 9, 2014 "On building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development" of the 11th Party Central Committee, it has been shown that the Party always pays close attention to the development of the literary and artistic community and the activities of local Literature and Arts Associations. That is also the essential and fundamental foundation for literary and artistic activities to develop in the right direction, "benefiting the country and the people", avoiding, or more correctly, limiting to the maximum extent, wrong steps, deviations, unrealistic, frivolous steps, failing to keep up with and support social progress - a valuable lesson that has happened in the history of revolutionary literature development.

Training and fostering artists

The work of nurturing and training artists in all fields has always been focused on. In 2002, the Provincial School of Culture and Arts was upgraded to Ben Tre College of Culture and Arts. In addition to training at the intermediate level, the school also cooperates with cultural and artistic schools located in Ho Chi Minh City such as: University of Fine Arts, City Conservatory of Music and University of Culture, each training course lasts from 4 to 5 years, pedagogical system.

Artist Truong Cham - member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association said: During this period, the training of university art teachers was conducted in 3 courses, with over 100 students graduating with a bachelor's degree in fine arts, assigned to teach at primary and secondary schools as well as work at cultural centers of districts, towns and wards. This is the largest force compared to the Mekong Delta region. This force has added over 35 members of the Ben Tre Fine Arts Association and 12 members have been admitted to the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. The members of the Fine Arts Association participating in the national exhibition in the Mekong Delta region, on average, are about 20 authors, corresponding to the annual works, always winning many awards and high prizes from third prize and above.

“I am very happy and proud that my students have received awards in regional and national art competitions, performances, and exhibitions. This is considered a common achievement of Ben Tre fine arts that has reached far, contributing to the common achievements of 50 years of formation and development of the province's fine arts,” said painter Truong Cham.

The field of music also received attention and training. Musician Quoc Nam - Member of the Vietnam Musicians Association said that in 1980, the Party and the State selected artists with passion and ability to receive formal training. Among them, in the field of music, prominent musicians were Lan Phong, Quoc Nam, Xuan Hoa, singers Huyen Nhi, Thanh Thuy... who were sent to study composition and vocal music at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. Through training, the generation of artists who grew up during the resistance war became more confident in their expertise, continued to create many works to meet the requirements of the new society, and encouraged people to participate in building and developing the country.

Having been involved in literary creation for more than 30 years, writer Nguyen Thao Nguyen said: “In my opinion, the advantages of literature and arts, including literature in the recent period, come from the support of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the creation of favorable conditions by the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee as well as departments, branches, and leaders of the association with enthusiasm, interest, and practical orientation for the activities of the Literature Branch. The investment budget for literature in the past time has been deployed in accordance with reality, creating momentum for development. The efforts of the members, specifically such as organizing writing camps, printing publications of members' creations, and periodically publishing the Ham Luong Literature and Arts publication, have helped members have the opportunity to promote their works. Some members have attended central-level writing camps, this exchange has contributed to forming more skills and writing ability of the members.

More than 300 members of the Nguyen Dinh Chieu Literature and Arts Association, with nearly 100 members at the Central level and non-professional collaborators in the fields of literature and arts, basically meet the enjoyment of the people and the requirements of the Party and the State. Artists under the leadership of the Party are always very enthusiastic, working closely with the masses, creating works to meet the needs of the masses to enjoy art.

Article and photos: Thanh Dong

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/van-hoc-nghe-thuat-trong-thoi-ky-doi-moi-21032025-a144009.html