COVID-19 Memorial: Not just a park, but a cultural institution

COVID-19 - Ảnh 1. — Medical staff wait to vaccinate people in Ho Chi Minh City against COVID-19 - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

In recent days, officials, people, and the media have been interested in and discussed the policy of "Building a symbolic project to unite to overcome COVID-19" at land plot No. 1 Ly Thai To.

Of course, I not only express my agreement but also express the great joy of a cultural activist, of the Chairman of the HCM City Cultural Heritage Association. I hope we can find a meaningful name for this project.

Invite people nationwide to contribute ideas for the COVID-19 Victims Memorial Project in Ho Chi Minh City

Reminder of "Fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy" during COVID-19

Talking about a historical period is talking about how the subjects of that historical period wrote memorable pages of history.

People at that time were struggling with the unpredictable destruction and devastation of the "formless enemy", but the white-shirted soldiers bravely charged into the midst of the danger of infection to treat and care for the sick day and night.

COVID-19 - Ảnh 2. — Medical staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic

The green-shirted soldiers, the young people, forgot their families and joined the volunteer army to bring relief goods to people in quarantine areas. The cultural soldiers, without taking off their masks, still rushed to bring songs to their compatriots who were concentrated in field hospitals and quarantine areas.

The park not only builds monuments to commemorate those who died from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also has images and symbols of the resilient will; the virtue of sacrifice, living for the community, solidarity - mutual assistance; creativity, and optimism in all circumstances of the Vietnamese people and the people of Ho Chi Minh City.

There are so many tragic yet beautiful images that need to be preserved: Images of angels in white leaving their families, leaving their children at home, to fight tirelessly to save the lives of each COVID-19 victim.

Not only the white-shirt angels of the city, but also the white-shirt soldiers from the northern provinces all turned towards the beloved South.

Images of students and office workers carrying hundreds of kilograms of rice to deliver to people in quarantine.

Images of soldiers and women's union members going to the market to help people. Images of chefs running around in the deserted streets and markets to ensure thousands of meals per meal for field hospitals.

Images of singers and artists with saxophones and masks on, performing in the quiet spaces of quarantine areas. Images of rice ATMs and gift slides.

The image of Uncle Ho's soldiers carrying each urn of ashes to each family, and then there was also a soldier who was heartbroken when a 4-year-old child was the one to receive the urn of ashes, and then he had to bring the urn and the child back to the unit; The image of free ambulance trips...

With the purpose of building the park as mentioned above, not only sculpture and architecture but also the language of many other art forms, including museum language, is needed to preserve and recreate the period of "Fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy".

Should there be a house in the former government guest house, now used as a Museum - COVID-19 Prevention Museum, temporarily called that.

Museums as centers of dynamic dialogue

With this new perspective on exhibition, the museum needs to move from a static exhibition space to a dynamic dialogue center.

The museum creates a space for interactive and critical learning. Workshops, discussions, and creative art projects inspired by artifacts will encourage visitors, especially the younger generation, to actively participate.

The strong emotional interaction that the exhibitions create is the door that opens the door to knowledge reception, helping viewers reflect on the connection between the past and the present, motivating them to reflect and act on the beautiful things they have encountered in this learning space, towards a society "rich in humanity".

To keep memories from fading, the museum always makes them "live" again through storytelling sessions, exchanges with historical witnesses, white-shirt soldiers, volunteers, soldiers, and ambulance drivers.

During the pandemic, professional and amateur artists created hundreds of works praising the beauty of humanity in the fight against the pandemic. The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations published the publication "The Trumpet and the Mask" including 194 works in 5 genres: literature, music , theater, fine arts, and photography.

COVID-19 - Ảnh 3. — Doctors treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

There are also works of dance and cinematography that cannot be conveyed through publications. These are very vivid sources of information for museums. If we had built the museum at the time when the war had just ended 4 years ago, it would have been very convenient for collecting artifacts, recording stories, and preserving images of witnesses.

As a citizen, we are extremely happy to have another space to create a green lung for Ho Chi Minh City right in the middle of a crowded residential area.

As a cultural activist, I would be even happier if the city had another cultural institution, a destination for entertainment and relaxation, a space filled with human affection, creating a highlight for a civilized - modern - affectionate urban area.

Facing the past, looking to the future optimistically

Many Tuoi Tre readers continue to send their comments on the symbolic project of unity in overcoming COVID-19.

sbng****@gmail.com: In my opinion, we should open up a space overlooking Ly Thai To Street, Vuon Lai Ward. The center should set up a collective statue of doctors, soldiers, police, workers, mothers and intellectuals. Behind the statue is a new large relief that can fully capture the scenes of life during the pandemic.

Bui Van Minh Triet: This project must be a 'mirror' reflecting the kindness and compassion that the people of Ho Chi Minh City have shown. It helps us not to forget the values that have been forged in the most difficult times.

Giang Huong: The symbolic work must have the duty to preserve and honor the beautiful actions and sacrifices to overcome difficulties of the medical team, volunteers and the people.

Sour Starfruit: There needs to be a special space for the images of medical staff, soldiers and those who fought on the front lines. The project is a never-ending tribute to their bravery and resilience.

namh****@gmail.com: I wish there was a wall with the names of the deceased engraved on it to commemorate them.

Dan: The memorial needs to be designed not just as a monument but as a cultural space where people can find empathy, express gratitude and heal their mental wounds after the pandemic.

Dung Nhi: This project will be a place to commemorate the victims' sacrifices, while honoring the spirit of solidarity and bravery of the frontline forces (doctors, soldiers, police, volunteers) and the efforts of the entire population.