• The art program "The Epic of Unification Resounds Forever"
  • Culture, literature, and art must reflect the spirit of the contemporary era.
  • Diligently cultivating knowledge and keeping the artistic "flame" alive.
  • Literature and Arts Magazine in the Literary and Artistic Life of Ca Mau

With the theme: “Revolutionary Journalism in Ca Mau: Proud Tradition - Steadfast Future”, the art program, comprising three chapters and a variety of performances including songs, dances, skits, and traditional Vietnamese folk music, was once again performed by a large force of artists and actors. Together, they used art to recount the glorious 100-year history of revolutionary journalism, affirming the important position, role, and immense contributions of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism in the struggle for national liberation, building, and defending the Fatherland.

In particular, the vọng cổ song "Proud of Journalism" (by author Lý Bông Dừa), performed as a duet by People's Artist Hoa Phượng and Golden Bell Award winner Bùi Trung Đẳng, became a refreshing breeze for the souls of journalists. We had the opportunity to meet the author as well as the two artists to hear their feelings about participating in this wonderful event.

Author Ly Bong Dua: Composed with all my gratitude and pride.

Author Ly Bong Dua believes that the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day is a major milestone. Therefore, as an author, being tasked with composing a Vong Co song and contributing lyrics to the artistic program brought her a feeling of profound emotion. Author: Ly Bong Dua

The traditional Vietnamese folk song "Proud of Journalism" was composed by the author in about two days with immense pride, after spending time researching the history and development of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism in general, as well as the journalistic landscape in his province. What moved Ly Bong Dua the most were the information and stories about journalist and martyr Nguyen Mai, his dedication and commitment to his writing with fervent patriotism, his works written with blood, and his courageous fighting and glorious sacrifice. In addition, he was deeply moved by encountering archival images of the journalistic profession, pages of newspapers stained with the passage of time, encompassing the life, the profession, and the national spirit.

"Perhaps, given the nature of a short, simple folk song, the lyrics cannot fully convey the pride and respect I feel for journalism. Furthermore, my own understanding may not be very deep. However, with all my gratitude, I have tried my best to compose this work as a gift and a congratulatory message for this particularly significant event," she confided.

She further shared: “Revolutionary journalists are the bridge connecting the Party and simultaneously speaking the voice of the people. All agencies, departments, and sectors always need the voice of journalists. The voice of a journalist is the voice of truth, speaking the truth, and this dissemination has a powerful impact on the masses. The vọng cổ (traditional Vietnamese folk song) is an expression of gratitude to the glorious past, and also reflects the sentiments of many succeeding generations, especially young journalists today, when thinking about the profession. Today's journalists will be ready to continue the glorious path of their ancestors and practice their profession with a pure heart, upholding the truth and building trust among the people. That is also a source of pride inherent in a profession that is inherently sacred – journalism.”

People's Artist Hoa Phượng: The song was sung as a thank you to the journalism profession.

People's Artist Hoa Phượng expressed her deep gratitude to the press for their kind attention to artists and writers.

People's Artist Hoa Phượng couldn't hide her excitement at participating in this art program. For her, this is an opportunity not only for journalists but also for the entire public to look back on the 100-year journey of revolutionary journalism – a long journey full of ups and downs but also very glorious. And certainly, as an artist, standing on stage to perform a traditional song about journalism is a great happiness.

Therefore, when she held a new work in her hands, she spent time studying the lyrics, investing a great deal of emotion so that when she sang a duet with "male lead" Bui Trung Dang, it would be perfectly harmonious, both soft and lyrical, while fully conveying the meaning and message the author wanted to send.

In this traditional Vietnamese folk song, People's Artist Hoa Phượng cherishes lines such as: "Brother, we love our profession because we love our homeland/ So we love every journey, every path we take/ Journalism - delivering justice to life/ We are like silent gatekeepers separating good from evil" or " We are journalists in peacetime, when the guns are silent, and our responsibilities weigh heavily on our shoulders...".

With over 30 years of dedicated artistic activity, People's Artist Hoa Phượng considers herself quite reserved and not very talkative, so she feels hesitant when contacted for interviews by the press. However, each time she has the opportunity to interact with the media, through her simple and heartfelt sharing, she realizes that art and journalism are two fields beautifully connected in fulfilling their mission of disseminating information and serving the public.

“On this occasion, Hoa Phượng would like to express her deepest gratitude to the press for their kind attention to artists in general and herself in particular. Throughout her career, the press has witnessed, accompanied, supported, and helped bring Hoa Phượng's name closer to audiences near and far. Perhaps in the future, when listening to the vọng cổ song "Proud of the Journalism Profession," she will certainly find some parts she is not entirely satisfied with, but at this moment, what she conveys to the audience is with all her genuine emotions and the utmost effort put into this vọng cổ song about journalism,” People's Artist Hoa Phượng said with satisfaction.

Artist Bui Trung Dang: It's a joy to contribute my voice to such a beautiful event!

Artist Bui Trung Dang expressed: " It is through journalistic works that Bui Trung Dang's name has become familiar to the audience."

The land of Ca Mau holds a beautiful memory for artist Bui Trung Dang. In 2010, after winning first prize in the Golden Bell Vong Co singing competition organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television, he had many opportunities to return to Ca Mau in the following years to perform at various events and film for Ca Mau Television. Destinations like Dat Mui, Hon Da Bac... through Cai Nuoc, Dam Doi... everywhere holds memories. Therefore, returning to this southernmost land is a great happiness and honor for him.

In the art program, the golden bell-voiced singer and People's Artist Hoa Phượng together recounted their stories of journalism with great pride.

Artist Bui Trung Dang shared his thoughts, noting that the author skillfully selected words so that every section of the Vong Co song carries meaning. Through it, he gained a deeper understanding of the hardships and sacrifices of his ancestors who dedicated themselves to revolutionary journalism. Through the storms of bombs and bullets, generations of writers were honed to become sharper; newspapers traversing forests and rivers carried valuable information and articles, bringing the flame of revolution to soldiers and the people, contributing to the victories of the two wars of national defense. From praising the indomitable spirit and heroism of previous generations to the succeeding generations of journalists, and especially the role of journalism in today's new era, it has become a beautiful narrative thread.

Of all the quotes, his favorite was: "My dear, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, there are both good and bad people. The responsibility of journalism is to find the truth. Our battlefield lies in every news report; despite the hardships, we remain undaunted, determined to protect our beliefs."

“The fields of art and journalism always go hand in hand, supporting each other. Artists and singers in general rely on journalists. For example, in the Golden Bell Vọng Cổ singing competition, it was through the careful writing of journalists that audiences near and far got to know the contestants and Bui Trung Dang. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of journalists. Through journalistic works, Bui Trung Dang's name has become familiar to the audience. On this occasion, Bui Trung Dang wishes all journalists good health, peace, and continued dedication to creating excellent works and providing useful information for society; and also wishes the people of Ca Mau prosperity and success in all endeavors…,” he conveyed.

Minh Hoang Phuc

Source: https://baocamau.vn/con-gio-thoi-mat-hon-nguoi-a39721.html