A melody of pride for 'The Keepers of the Flame'

The proud melody with the theme "The Keepers of the Flame" opens up an artistic space full of emotion about the sea, about the silent people who "find the flame," "keep the flame" for the Fatherland.

Songs from the Sea

On the evening of November 30th, the "Melodies of Pride" program, with the theme "Those Who Keep the Flame Alive," broadcast live on VTV1, left a deep impression on viewers nationwide by opening up an artistic space filled with emotion about the sea and the unsung heroes of the oil and gas industry who "find fire" and "keep the flame alive" for the nation.

The "Melodies of Pride" program, with the theme "The Keepers of the Flame". Photo: Hoa Quynh

The program featured timeless melodies and songs about the sea, such as " The Sea Sings This Afternoon" sung by Quoc Thien, "Vung Tau, the Sea Sings" performed by Khanh Ly, and especially " Spring from the Oil Wells " presented by three singers, Thanh Lam, Phuong Vy, and Luu Huong Giang. These songs created a picture of the sea that was both profound and powerful, evoking indescribable emotions about love for the sea and islands, and about the workers who are toiling day and night on the nation's offshore oil rigs.

During the program, poet and journalist Huu Viet shared his genuine feelings upon hearing the song "The Sea Sings This Afternoon." He said that , before 2010, the sea in his perception was something vast and metaphysical. At times, he felt the sea was like "a teardrop in the air," or full of lyricism like the line " at midnight, the sea, weary from the day's commotion, lay peacefully asleep" ...

But after 2010, poet and journalist Huu Viet recounted, everything changed when he had a 12-day trip to Truong Sa. Since then, every time he hears songs about the sea, he feels like he's discovering another kind of beauty. "When I listen to ' The Sea Sings This Afternoon,' my emotions move from memories of the past to feelings of the present; everything is so beautiful," said poet and journalist Huu Viet.

Journalist Do Thu Ha also expressed her feelings about songs about the sea with great emotion. She shared that songs about the sea always evoke in her the classic voices of Vietnamese music . From the song "My Love, the Sea " by composer Nguyen Duc Toan, listeners not only see the beauty of the sea but also the breath of peace. Especially, "Evening on the Harbor " by composer Ha Dang, composed from the anxieties and memories of war, was written when he witnessed the loss and separation of an unforgettable time.

The program attracted a large audience. Photo: Hoa Quynh

Regarding the song " Spring from the Oil Wells," singer Thanh Lam recalled that she sang it when she was a music student at the age of 15. As for singer Phuong Vy, she first heard the song from her mother. Therefore, today, singing this famous song, she can understand her mother's feelings to some extent, and she can also see the vastness of the ocean and the aspirations of humanity to conquer it.

Among songs about the sea and associated with the oil and gas industry, " The East Sea Flag Flies High " by composer Truong Quy Hai stands out. Composed during a working trip to the Hai Thach and Moc Tinh offshore oil and gas platforms of the East Sea Petroleum Operating Company (East Sea POC), this work exudes a heroic spirit, conveying the message of oil and gas workers ready to be pioneers in production, dedicating their efforts to affirming national sovereignty and maintaining peace on the sacred continental shelf of the Fatherland.

Sharing the context behind the song's creation, composer Truong Quy Hai recounted the moment he stood on the Hai Thach - Moc Tinh oil rig of the East Sea Petroleum Operating Company (East Sea POC) while witnessing the flag-raising ceremony amidst the turbulent waves: " Everyone placed their hands on their hearts, and I could still hear the brothers singing the national anthem… Suddenly, I felt the homeland was strangely sacred ."

In the small room at the foot of the oil rig's flagpole, the first lines of the song rang out: " Here, we share joys, sorrows, and longing under the flag / Day and night, the flag flies, the sound of the machines never stops / For the sacred oil rig of Vietnam." From that sacred experience, the song was born as a tribute to the silent soldiers of the oil and gas industry at sea.

Poet and journalist Huu Viet and journalist Do Thu Ha shared their thoughts in the program. Photo: Hoa Quynh.

The Fire Seekers and the Journey to Build the Oil Industry

More than just an art space, the program also tells stories about the efforts of Petrovietnam employees, their achievements, their unity, and their determination. In particular, each story, each milestone, is a testament to the creative spirit and resilience of oil and gas workers.

Professor, Doctor of Science Ho Si Thoang, former Chairman of the Board and General Director of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation, recalled 1986 – the year Vietnam extracted its first ton of oil, ushering in a period of strong development and significant contributions to the national budget. " The first generation of oil and gas workers faced immense hardship and countless difficulties, yet they remained determined to search for oil," Professor, Doctor of Science Ho Si Thoang emphasized.

Throughout its development, the oil and gas industry has built a series of nationally significant projects: the Dung Quat and Nghi Son oil refineries, the Phu My and Ca Mau fertilizer plants, etc. Professor, Doctor of Science Ho Si Thoang affirmed that Vietnam's oil and gas industry is now on par with the world... " The achievements of the oil and gas industry today are something to be extremely proud of. We were the ones who sought the fire, and now you are keeping the fire burning... to take Petrovietnam to greater heights," Professor, Doctor of Science Ho Si Thoang shared.

Professor, Doctor of Science Ho Si Thoang, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vietnam National Petroleum Corporation. Photo: Hoa Quynh

With 12 years of service on the Hai Thach - Moc Tinh oil rig cluster, considered the most remote and challenging location on Vietnam's continental shelf, Mr. Tran Ngoc Trung - Head of the Electrical and Automation Team at the Vietnam National Energy and Industry Corporation Branch - is one of the exemplary figures in the oil and gas industry who has overcome hardships in the vast ocean to "keep the flame alive" for the Fatherland.

In particular, working in a challenging environment, Mr. Tran Ngoc Trung and his colleagues overcame difficulties, rose to prominence, and made their mark with scientific works that were honored with the Ho Chi Minh Prize. This is a testament to the intelligence, courage, and aspirations of the young generation at Petrovietnam.

The "Proud Melodies" program , "The Keepers of the Flame," evokes special emotions about the homeland's seas, where past difficulties have become the driving force for proud progress. It also carries the belief and aspiration for a prosperous, united, and positive future, embodying the mission of "Keeping the Flame of Heritage Alive - Building National Energy" of generations of Petrovietnam.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/giai-dieu-tu-hao-ve-nhung-nguoi-giu-lua-432772.html