An epic poem in the form of paintings.

In the heart of Hanoi, at Thong Nhat Park, a special art exhibition titled "The Song of Unification" took place. Diverse paintings in various materials and themes, reflecting the rhythm of the nation's history, evoked emotion and pride in the glorious victories in the struggle for independence and freedom for the Fatherland.

Báo Nhân dân•04/05/2025

The outdoor art exhibition "Song of Unity" is taking place in the atmosphere of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the Unification of the Country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Navy (May 7, 1955 - May 7, 2025).

The exhibition center displays a 4-meter-high, 45-meter-long panel featuring enlarged, high-resolution prints of lacquer paintings, oil paintings, and battlefield sketches by military artists who participated in the resistance war, as well as works by a generation of artists born and raised in peacetime but full of passion and gratitude towards their predecessors.

Behind each artwork displayed at the exhibition are moving stories, the indelible memories of the artists and the characters they depict. In 1966, artist Le Lam refused an opportunity to study in the Soviet Union, deciding instead to go to the southern battlefield to record historical moments.

One of his most famous works is the painting of Sister Tư Cào, the courageous woman who single-handedly stopped an enemy vehicle in Long An in 1967. She stood defiantly before the enemy tank, amidst the thick smoke of bombs. The painting, originally titled "The Vietnamese Nation Has Never Surrendered," was later changed to "Stop"—a concise and powerful message about the indomitable will of the nation.

In Ben Tre, where Le Lam lived throughout the war years, the artist recorded through his paintings the heroic deeds, the steadfast people, and the unforgettable images of the resistance. Sharing that same spirit, artist Pham Ngoc Lieu also left a profound mark with many haunting works about war.

His sketches of soldiers in fortifications in Vinh Linh, Quang Tri, evoke a tragic memory. In early 1973, while sketching at a battlefield on the banks of the Thach Han River, he captured vivid moments of soldiers holding a briefing. But just minutes after he left, enemy artillery rained down, claiming the lives of the entire squad he had just sketched. He wrote in his memoirs: “They were handsome, intelligent young soldiers, fresh out of school. Just yesterday they were here, and now they only exist in my sketches. But they live forever in my heart, in the memory of the Fatherland.”

"I paint war because I love peace," a powerful statement by artist Le Huy Toan, speaks volumes about his artistic mission. As one of the artists present at most of the country's important historical events, from the Border Campaign of 1950, the Dien Bien Phu Victory of 1954, to the resistance war against the US and the Great Spring Victory of 1975, Le Huy Toan witnessed and recorded unforgettable moments throughout his journey across the country.

With a gun and a pen, he amassed an invaluable artistic legacy: thousands of vivid sketches depicting battle scenes, intense moments, and the sacrifices and hardships endured by our soldiers and people during the two great resistance wars of the nation.

In the exhibition space, veterans who directly experienced life-or-death moments during the war to defend the homeland relive those heroic years. With teary eyes and in every brushstroke of the paintings, they seem to rediscover their own youth and that of their comrades.

International delegations also attentively admired and commented on the artwork. David Martin, an American businessman, stood silently before the painting "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" by artist Nguyen Thuan. After gazing at it for a long time, he shared: "I have never fully understood the pain and loss of your country, but these works speak volumes. The Vietnamese soldiers fought for an entire nation. We feel the strength of faith and the yearning for freedom through each brushstroke."

At the exhibition, there were also three exceptional works that left a deep impression on viewers, becoming vivid evidence of the sacrifice, the aspiration for freedom, and the victory of the nation. The oil painting "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" by artist Nguyen Thuan, with its strong and vibrant lines, depicts the majestic beauty of the battle, while also evoking the resilience and indomitable spirit of our army and people during those arduous years.

Alongside these, the two lacquer paintings "Liberation of Buon Ma Thuot" and "Tanks ramming the gates of the Independence Palace" by artist Tran Huu Chat, through their sharp, contrasting details, recreate moments of glorious history. Each painting both commemorates the moment of victory and evokes a profound sense of gratitude towards those who dedicated their youth to writing the heroic history of the nation.

Moved by the historical value of the series of artworks, the students formed a heart shape and the April 30th milestone, expressing the gratitude and pride of the young generation – the generation born and raised in peace and independence. Continuing this spirit of pride, artist Ngo Ba Hoang presented to the public the painting "Greetings, Vietnam, My Homeland," a colossal piece measuring 1.8 meters high and 300 meters long, painted with acrylic to celebrate the beauty of a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam.

The painting's content spans from the Lung Cu flagpole—a meeting point of heaven and earth—to the Ca Mau cape, from the majestic mountains down to the vast plains and coastal regions, vividly depicting the unity of the three regions of the country. Each brushstroke blends into the endless beauty of the nation, rich in natural resources, culture, and long-standing traditions. Each brushstroke also deeply reflects the indomitable and heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people.

The vivid stories and images from the past, expressed through the paintings, have been deeply etched in the minds of viewers, becoming a message about preserving and promoting the sacred values of freedom and peace. The exhibition also serves as a bridge connecting the past with the present, between past and future generations, to commemorate a journey full of sacrifice, heroism, and national pride.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khuc-trang-ca-bang-cac-tac-pham-hoi-hoa-post877246.html