Investing in space to make culture a "source" to nourish the souls of Ho Chi Minh City people

At the conference summarizing 50 years of Ho Chi Minh City's literature and arts held on the morning of October 18, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang had a dialogue with artists and writers on urgent issues to build and develop Ho Chi Minh City's literature and arts.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang exchanged opinions with artists attending the conference.
Photo: QUOC THANH

Speaking at the conference, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang expressed gratitude for the contributions of artists who have made the city's half-century journey of literature and art.

“The past 50 years have been a challenging but also brilliant journey of the city's literature and arts, closely linked to the strong development of Ho Chi Minh City after the country's reunification.

Literature and art not only reflect the vivid reality of the city named after Uncle Ho but also contribute to nurturing the soul, encouraging patriotism, fostering cultural identity, and arousing the aspirations of the city's people to rise up," Comrade Tran Luu Quang emphasized.

Expanding cultural space

Opening up public cultural spaces is considered one of the issues that artists are interested in.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi expressed his concerns about the space along the Saigon River, especially the area of ​​Ben Nha Rong - Ho Chi Minh Museum (HCMC branch). This is not only a special historical site, but also a place where a multifunctional cultural space can be created, becoming a cultural meeting place for the community.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi proposed that the city stop implementing housing projects in this area and instead expand Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, plan parks, and create large-scale cultural and artistic spaces.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi shares his opinion at the conference. Photo: QUOC THANH

Sharing about this issue, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang appreciated the value and historical significance of the land. He said: "Currently, the policy of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee is not to develop housing projects in this area; will develop Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space, build a park, combine with expanding Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and other public services".

In addition, according to Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, the land plot at 1 Ly Thai To will also be converted into a park. Currently, a strategic investor has agreed to build a park on this land plot and donate it to the city.

"The Standing Committee of the City Party Committee also has the idea of ​​building a memorial statue for compatriots who died in the Covid-19 pandemic here," the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee informed.

Continue to improve policies and investments

After half a century with many proud marks, the flow of innovation and creativity of the city’s literature and art is constantly developing. Besides new trends, the development of traditional art makes many artists worry.

People's Artist Le Thuy shares her feelings about the "lost steam" of the reformed theater in the context of the overwhelming contemporary art market.

People's Artist Le Thuy speaks at the conference. Photo: QUOC THANH

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang acknowledged that the creative flow of literature and art is constantly changing, and the tastes of audiences are also changing. Therefore, traditional art needs to update with new trends.

Besides respecting heritage values, there needs to be a plan to preserve, promote, develop, and invest in appropriate and necessary institutions for traditional art forms in the general trend.

People's Artist My Uyen presents at the conference. Photo: QUOC THANH

Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc speaks at the conference. Photo: QUOC THANH

Actress Lam Vy Da expressed her opinion at the conference. Photo: QUOC THANH

At the conference, many artists also contributed solutions to preserve, promote and spread cultural values ​​in the community. The common point is that culture must live in daily life and in the hearts of every city resident.

In particular, artists constantly strive to create, always reminding themselves to make better and better works, bringing them closer to the public.

Recognizing the sentiments, enthusiasm and creative spirit of the artists, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang emphasized: "Building and developing culture is not only a goal, but also a sustainable foundation of a civilized, modern and humane city. Culture is soft power, the glue that connects people, enriching the city's identity."

The Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee affirmed that, from the enthusiastic opinions of artists, the city will continue to perfect policies, invest in cultural spaces, promote the potential of intellectuals and artists, so that culture can truly become a "source" to nourish the souls of Ho Chi Minh City people.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang performed the awarding ceremony.
The President 's First Class Labor Medal awarded to the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: QUOC THANH

Within the framework of the conference, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang presented the First Class Labor Medal of the President to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City.

The conference organizing committee also awarded certificates of merit to more than 50 individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of literature and art in Ho Chi Minh City over the past 50 years (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

HONG DUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dau-tu-khong-gian-de-van-hoa-thanh-mach-nguon-boi-dap-tam-hon-nguoi-tphcm-post818725.html