“10am Sunday” – humane life stories through the pen of journalist To Phan

On September 11, in Hanoi , Dan Tri Publishing House, Hanoi Journalists Association, Citizen and Encouragement of Learning Magazine organized the book launch ceremony "10am Sunday" by journalist To Phan, Chairman of Hanoi Journalists Association, former Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Editor-in-Chief of Citizen and Encouragement of Learning e-magazine.

Delegates attending the book launch ceremony of journalist To Phan. Photo: HT

Attending the ceremony were former Politburo member, former Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi; representatives of leaders, former leaders of departments, ministries, branches, central agencies, Hanoi city; leaders of press agencies, journalists' associations at all levels; many generations of journalists and readers.

Humanity, kindness, and humanity

The essay book “10am Sunday” is over 400 pages thick, published by Dan Tri Publishing House, consisting of 4 parts with 49 stories that are imbued with human feelings, humane and very thought-provoking. In the book, the author depicts kinship (friendship, family love) – the emotional ties that connect people in modern society.

Journalist To Phan shares about the book. Photo: HT

Regarding the motivation for writing the book, journalist To Phan expressed: “Without experiencing incidents and unusual events as an insider, without experiencing them as a witness, there would be no joys and pains like scars in the soul. Without those joys and pains, there would be no reflection. Without reflection, there would be no writing. It is like a self-imposed pressure: I have to write, write for myself as a gift of gratitude to my relatives and friends who have shared the joys and sorrows and even the pains! Whoever does not love his family, does not love his relatives but still boasts that he loves the people, loves the country, then that love is fake! Whoever does not have gratitude does not deserve to enjoy the sweet fruits of life, even if they live in luxury!”

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education Le Manh Hung shares about the book. Photo: HT

Sharing about the book, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education Le Manh Hung commented that in this collection of essays, the stories imbued with human love through the author's lens evoke images of society and the country through many periods, while also aiming at the values of truth - goodness - beauty.

Journalist Ho Quang Loi shares about the book. Photo: HT

Journalist Ho Quang Loi, former Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, former Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Propaganda Department, also expressed his respect: "As someone who held the role of President of the Hanoi Journalists Association, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper before To Phan and also a colleague for many years, I always found him to be a journalist full of spirit, a strong fighting writer. His articles and reports all have a very high fighting spirit. But when I read this book, I was really surprised. There appeared a very humane To Phan, a portrait full of humanity of the head of the Hanoi Journalists Association".

Find the precious values of life

With the perspective of an experienced journalist, To Quang Phan chose “10am Sunday” as the title of the book, recalling an article of the same name that was published in the Citizen and Encouragement of Learning e-magazine. That article was also reprinted in the book, as a message that connects throughout: Looking back at the past with its difficult and sometimes deadlocked lives, what remains is humanity. And thanks to humanity, the author finds faith and the strength to live well and live kindly.

The book "10am Sunday" by journalist To Phan. Photo: T.Du

“10am Sunday” is not simply a time mark. It is a symbol of the moment when people pause their busy life, to listen to their own heart. When the streets are less noisy, the sun is no longer too harsh, it is also the time when the soul calms down, to realize the simple values that we sometimes unintentionally forget. It is at that moment that the author chooses to write down the experiences, awakening the soul from the pages of the book.

From that starting point, the author takes the reader through four parts - four slices that are both rich and consistent, each part has its own color but blends into a whole full of emotion.

Part one of “Memory Land” is a journey back to the old days, where childhood and memories have contributed to making a person. The writings are sometimes haunting, sometimes clear, but all are filled with nostalgia.

Journalist To Quang Phan presents journalist Nguyen Minh Duc, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, his heartfelt book. Photo: M. Quynh

Part two "The Place Always Waiting for Us to Return" is filled with sacred family affection, with stories about parents, grandmothers, and home - a loving support.

Part three of “The Taste of Life” reflects urban life and the difficult, miserable years, but always looms a spirit of optimism and the will to overcome adversity.

Part four "Slices" is about thoughts and concerns about contemporary society, where the author does not hesitate to point out problems, while also sending a message about compassion and necessary kindness.

The stories in “10am Sunday” are like raindrops that soften the dry land, nurturing faith and connection. They are memories of home, father’s teachings, mother’s silver hair, and friends’ sharing arms. Some stories make readers smile, some make them sob, but all of them illuminate simple and lasting human values.

Delegates and characters in the book share. Photo: HT

In the collection of essays, it seems that the author has given himself enough distance to contemplate, to live more slowly with memories, and then write with sincerity. These are not only personal memories, but also his way of conveying his philosophy of life - cherishing human love, cherishing the twists and turns he has experienced, to better understand the value of kindness in life.

Writing the introduction to the essay book, Dr. Nguyen Duc Mau (Institute of Literature) expressed: “This book more or less provides readers with information about the present time, about the word love in different relationships of a time that has passed and is continuing. Gratitude, soulmate, and recognition are not only the messages that author To Phan sends in his book pages, but they are also a type of living material imbued with humanity.”

The essay "10am Sunday" is therefore a time to pause and find the precious values of life.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/10h-sang-chu-nhat-nhung-cau-chuyen-doi-dam-chat-nhan-van-qua-ngoi-but-nha-bao-to-phan-715720.html