President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association Bich Ngan wishes the author of 'Van Khong' to continue to be... lonely

Coming to share the joy of 'Van Khong' - the new poetry collection of poet Ngo Thanh Van, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association Trinh Bich Ngan gave many compliments to her colleague and wished the author to continue...being alone to bring more good works to poetry lovers.

After eight years focusing on writing, poet Ngo Thanh Van, Vice President of the Gia Lai Association of Literature and Arts, returns to poetry with her work "Van Khong" (published by the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House). She held a book launch and discussion with her adoptive father, poet Le Thuan Nghia, on the morning of September 28th in Ho Chi Minh City, along with her collection "Vet Thieu Quang" (also recently published by the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House).

Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong (right) and artist Le Thuan Nghia perform at the book launch.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

Poet Ngo Thanh Van answers readers' questions.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

Poet Ngo Thanh Van shared: "For the past 8 years, I haven't published a poetry collection, focusing instead on completing my prose works. After reading so many beautiful poems by my beloved father, I decided to compile them into a poetry anthology, 'Vệt Thiều Quang' (The Traces of Light) , to celebrate his 66th birthday. I also selected 66 of my own poems as a meaningful gift for him on his new age. 'The Flow of Father and Son's Words' is reflected in these two works, with the dominant blue color of the cover symbolizing warm family affection..."

Cloudy skies - a poetic pilgrimage through the precarious realms of human existence.

Regarding the meaning of the book title "Trace of Light ," author Le Thuan Nghia explains: "Trace of Light is a stream of consciousness, blending with the external light of peace and tranquility, beginning from a small streak to open up a great, expansive journey."

And why Vân ? Poet Ngô Thanh Vân explains: "In our spiritual lives, everyone has experienced despair, sadness, and suffering, but no matter what, we always see the light at the end of the tunnel. Vân is me - and Vân is also a cloud. I want to be a cluster of clouds floating gently in the air, amidst the endless expanse of the universe, yet always yearning for the best things."

Commenting on Ngo Thanh Van's poetry collection, critic Hoang Dang Khoa said: "Ngo Thanh Van's poetry is a pilgrimage through the precarious realms of fate and emotion, where she finds some relief for the soul. There, you'll find poems that breathe the air of everyday life – homes, fields, weekend mornings; haunting memories of the pandemic, loss, separation, and also dreams of love, whispered words of exchange. The verses are simple and unadorned yet rich in musicality, sometimes poignant and heavy, sometimes light and airy, like clouds without fixed form."

Cover art for the two newly released works.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association, Trinh Bich Ngan: "The loneliness of a woman, especially a woman who writes poetry, is very difficult to overcome, yet it becomes a friend and companion to the writer."

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

According to Trinh Bich Ngan, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association: "Compared to her previous collections, Ngo Thanh Van's ' Van Today' is very different. The poet has gone through paths that women don't want to go through. She has always had to confront loneliness. The loneliness of a woman, especially a woman who writes poetry, is very difficult to overcome, so loneliness becomes a companion to the writer. I wish Ngo Thanh Van will continue to experience even more intense and profound loneliness so that she can have even better new poetry collections."

Ngo Thanh Van's poetry reflects a lot of hardship, but always maintains faith and love for life.

"After reading all 66 poems in the collection 'Van Khong' (Cloudy Sky) , I realized that the dominant theme is a return to one's inner self, a conversation and self-expression. The women in Ngo Thanh Van's poetry go through many hardships and sorrows, but they do not lose their faith and love for life. Behind the feelings of loss, desolation, brokenness, and disappointment, her poetry remains like a cloud floating gracefully, hướng towards a free sky full of light."

Ngo Thanh Van uses flexible forms for her poems. Her six-eight meter poems are soft, sweet, and classical; her free verse poems are unrestrained and playful; and other metrical forms like six-word and seven-word poems are concise and tightly packed. And no matter what form she writes in, Ngo Thanh Van's poems are always full of rhyme and musicality," said poet Do Anh Vu.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-tich-hoi-nha-van-tphcm-bich-ngan-chuc-tac-gia-van-khong-tiep-tuc-co-don-185250928114519379.htm