50 years of Binh Dinh literature: Imprints, movements and expectations

On April 22, the Binh Dinh Literature and Arts Association organized a workshop on “Binh Dinh Literature and Arts: 50 Years of Construction and Development”. This is an opportunity to look back on the half-century journey of the province’s literature, a stream rich in inner strength, with many nuances and always in motion.

Looking back at the half-century journey of Binh Dinh literature since 1975 until now, it is easy to see that this is a creative space full of color, rich in inner strength and always moving.

According to poet Mai Thin, Chairman of the Binh Dinh Literature and Arts Association, after the country's reunification, artists from both regions gathered to establish the Nghia Binh Literature and Arts Association - the predecessor of the Binh Dinh Literature and Arts Association today. Many outstanding writers from the battlefield, from the North and the South gathered together, creating the face of the province's literature, such as writers: Cao Duy Thao, Bui Thi Chien, Thu Hoai, Nguyen Thanh Hien, Mang Vien Long, Le Huu Thuan, Nguyen Thanh Mung, Tran Thi Huyen Trang... and poets Yen Lan, Thanh Thao, Le Thu, Dinh Xang Hien, Vuong Linh, Le Van Ngan, Tu Quoc Hoai, Ngo The Oanh, Nguyen Van Chuong, Ha Giao, Khong Vinh Nguyen... In addition to the presentations and opinions on a comprehensive view of Binh Dinh literature, the conference also displayed Binh Dinh literary works from 1975 to the present as a profound record.

Talking about the poetry in the early period after 1975, Associate Professor Dr. Ho The Ha commented: In the early period after 1975, Binh Dinh poetry clearly expressed emotions before the new reality, with themes praising the country, post-war life, memories of war and aspirations for peace . The poems were rich in emotion, new in writing style, creating a remarkable initial victory. The team and quality of poetry itself spoke of a reality: Binh Dinh is a land - a poetic region with an identity that is always moving and developing from the past to the present in the same unified flow. Currently, Binh Dinh has 8 poets who are members of the Vietnam Writers Association, nearly 60 poets in the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, showing a large creative force, with many generations following.

Regarding prose, Dr. Chau Minh Hung (Quy Nhon University) commented: Compared to poetry, "Binh Dinh prose sparkles in silence", standing out in the genre of short stories and literary criticism. According to him, although there are still some obscure short stories, it is that foundation that has raised the steps of authors such as Nguyen My Mu, Le Hoai Luong, Trieu La Vy, Duyen An... Re-reading Nguyen Van Chuong, Mang Vien Long, Tran Quang Loc... or the next generation such as Nguyen Thu An, Tran Thi Han, Nguyen Nu Thuy Linh, Nguyen Thi My Tien, Nguyen Anh Nhat... all recognize the quiet but profound literary quality, full of love for the homeland, no less sophisticated in art. "In my opinion, the artistic quality of the published short stories is not inferior to the romanticism and realism of the pre-war period, from the structural techniques to the writing style", Dr. Hung emphasized.

The Vietnam Writers Association of Binh Dinh province held a conference to summarize the year 2024. Photo: DUC LINH

Looking back at 50 years of Binh Dinh literature, the young generation has had some hopeful continuations. There has been a young generation whose names are widely known to literature lovers such as: Van Phi, Truong Cong Tuong, Tran Quoc Toan, My Tien, Nguyen Dang Thuy Trang, Le Van Dong, Pham Quyen Chi, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, Thuy Han, Nguyen Anh Nhat, Tran Van Thien... They have won many awards in literary competitions in prestigious newspapers and magazines, the annual Union of Literature and Arts Associations award... The recent 10th National Conference of Young Writers in Da Nang, writers of the province's age were invited to 5 delegates; except for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh province has the largest number of participants compared to other provinces and cities.

Writer Le Hoai Luong, Head of the Literature Association, shared: “Over the past two years, Binh Dinh has been very happy when two poets, Truong Cong Tuong and Van Phi, were admitted to the Vietnam Writers Association. Although the successive generations of Binh Dinh's literary tradition have not been broken, the period from 1995 to 2025 has truly blossomed: There is a new generation, a new wave of Binh Dinh literature that is very promising!”

Binh Dinh literature has affirmed and developed thanks to the self-efforts of writers, along with encouragement, creative support, writing camps... implemented by the Literature and Arts Association. Literary genres have developed synchronously and have had encouraging achievements. Poet Le Thu, former President of the Binh Dinh Literature and Arts Association, was moved: “After 50 years with so many happy and sad memories... artists and writers gathered together on a boat that always heads forward, even though it sometimes sways, but looking back, we naturally feel so much warmth and love. Especially now, after the 6th Congress, term (2022 - 2025) with a young and dynamic leadership team and inheriting the experiences of previous generations, along with a team of talented young artists and writers, we can hope that "the boat" will continue to sail steadily".

SPIRIT

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=18&macmp=18&mabb=354703