When literature reclaims its place in schools.

In a context where digital life is increasingly overshadowing reading habits, literature is finding its way back to young people through more accessible and emotionally rich methods.

An impressive visual representation of a dance performance in the program "Songs from Poetry".

The capacity for perception needs to be nurtured.

Literature is, first and foremost, the ability to appreciate beauty, the ability to be moved by humanity and history. When approached through art, literature is no longer an abstract concept but becomes a part of spiritual life. The program "Songs from Verses" at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education is one such example.

Over 800 students stepped into a space where poetry was not only read but also expressed through music , stage, and urban memory. Through songs set to poetry, the program recreated the historical journey, the depth of soul, and the compassionate beauty of Ho Chi Minh City, a city told through the language of art.

Following the trend of modern Vietnamese music, poetry set to music has long been a persistent aesthetic source in the urban life of the South. Composers such as Phan Huỳnh Điểu, Hoàng Hiệp, Thuận Yến, Phạm Minh Tuấn, Trương Quang Lục, Phú Quang… have demonstrated the profound connection between words and music, between poetic thought and popular emotion. Songs like "Footprints Ahead," "Vàm Cỏ Đông," "Memories of a White Night in Vĩnh Lộc," or "The Road with Falling Tamarind Leaves" not only possess artistic merit but also preserve the collective memory of a city.

Writer Trinh Bich Ngan, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association, believes that the publication "Poetry Set to Music - 50 Years of Ho Chi Minh City," introduced in the program, is the result of the persistent creative process of many generations of artists and writers.

The performance "Memories of a White Night in Vinh Loc Field" was presented by Meritorious Artist Lam Tuyen.

According to poet Hoai Vu, author of famous works such as "Vam Co Dong" and "Walking in the Scent of Melaleuca," it is his life stories and poems that have created a connection between war memories and today's young generation, showing that poetry, when placed in the right context, still has the power to move people deeply.

Professor Huynh Van Son, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, emphasized that education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the soul. For teacher-training students, who will directly teach in the future, the ability to appreciate beauty and emotional intelligence are fundamental to connecting with students.

Nurturing young people's natural reading journey.

While at the university level, literature should be approached as a skill for appreciation, at the secondary school level, the issue lies in how to prevent reading from becoming an obligation. Interactions between writers and students, if properly organized, can open another door to a reading culture.

Young people interacted with author Nguyen Nhat Anh at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School.

A recent book signing and meet-and-greet event by author Nguyen Nhat Anh at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School attracted over 600 readers, who came not only to get autographs but also to chat and listen to stories about characters associated with their childhoods.

Nha Tran was interested in the possibility of the trio Thieu - Man - Tuong returning in the work "The Little Girl Next Door and Four Candies," as well as the appearance of the character Turtle (Sitting and Crying on a Tree). Reader Hang Dinh (Ho Chi Minh City), although not having a chance to get an autograph, was still very happy to meet the writer and chat in a peaceful space where people who love literature share memorable memories.

Author Nguyen Nhat Anh stated that the "reunion" of characters usually comes from spontaneous inspiration during the writing process, rarely pre-planned, and that open endings allow readers more space for imagination, instead of imposing the characters' fates. Regarding "Nameless Summer," Nguyen Nhat Anh proactively continued writing because he felt unsatisfied, even though he later received many letters suggesting developing it into another book.

The setting for author Nguyen Nhat Anh's book signing event also held significant meaning, taking place at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, the main location in his novel "The School as Always." The author shared that this is also where his daughter once studied, and the architectural beauty and atmosphere of the school inspired him to incorporate it into his work. The playful way the school's name is pronounced in the story shows that literature, from a different perspective, always begins with very real-life things.

Encouraging students to be creative with literary works is also a way to foster a reading culture. A book cover design competition for Nguyen Nhat Anh's works, organized by the Literature Department and the Art Club of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, attracted over 30 entries. The cover for "Two Cats Sitting by the Window" by Hoang Phuong Vy (class 12A1) won first prize not only for its technical skill but also for its subtle empathy with the pure spirit of the work.

As an ambassador for reading culture in Ho Chi Minh City, author Nguyen Nhat Anh emphasized that spreading the habit of reading cannot rely solely on schools. Every parent and every teacher needs to become a role model for reading in their families and classrooms. "When children grow up in an environment with books, reading will happen naturally, without needing to be forced," said author Nguyen Nhat Anh.

Writer Vo Thu Huong interacts with students at Binh An Secondary School.

Along with author Nguyen Nhat Anh, author Vo Thu Huong also chooses to engage in close conversations with students to spread the love of reading. During school events, she shares everyday stories about "traveling far through reading," how books become a path to expanding one's world, even when material resources are limited. Lecturer Nguyen Tien Dung from the Department of Primary Education at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education believes that such encounters create an enthusiastic learning atmosphere, giving students beautiful memories and inspiration for studying literature.

From songs set to poetry and author meet-and-greets to creative activities in schools, literature is quietly sowing the seeds and nurturing a reading culture – not just to create a reading habit, but to shape individuals who are profound, humane, and emotionally rich.

HUONG TRAN (VNA)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/khi-van-hoc-tim-lai-vi-tri-cua-minh-trong-hoc-duong-530417.html