An epic song amidst bombs and bullets.

Long An Performing Arts Troupe (Photo provided by the subject)

Singing amidst gunfire

During the years of resistance, the performing arts troupes, which were closely connected with the people, brought a spirit of enthusiastic fighting and strengthened revolutionary faith for our cadres, soldiers, and people.

Former Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - playwright Nguyen Minh Tuan joined the Long An Performing Arts Troupe when he was only 15-16 years old. He recounted that, operating in difficult and arduous conditions, the performing arts troupes mainly relied on the wholehearted support of the people.

“At that time, the performing arts troupe performed in many places, from liberated areas to contested areas, even in enemy-controlled areas. Wherever the troupe performed, they relied on the support of the local authorities for security, preparing fortifications and shelters, dispersing forces, and hiding kerosene lamps in case of enemy presence,” said playwright Nguyen Minh Tuan.

During the fierce war, the performance conditions for the performing arts troupes were extremely difficult. In peaceful times, they performed on stages (often made from raised wooden platforms used by civilians), with microphones and lighting from kerosene lamps. However, when the fighting intensified, the troupes split into groups and teams, staying close to the local population, gathering dozens of families to provide on-site entertainment, teaching singing, and mobilizing the masses to support the soldiers.

There were nights when the performing arts troupe performed at the request of the people until well past midnight. The works mainly reflected revolutionary realities, denounced the crimes of landlords and powerful figures, and encouraged young people to enlist in the army... Once, after a performance by the Long An Performing Arts Troupe in Tan Tru, 120 local young men enlisted in the army.

The Long An Performing Arts Troupe performing during the resistance war (photo provided by the subject).

Playwright Nguyen Minh Tuan recounted that he could never forget the bravery of our soldiers when facing the enemy. While the enemy outnumbered them in firepower and force, our officers and soldiers still fought with unwavering determination.

“I still remember, during a counter-insurgency operation in Duc Hoa, Long An province, our performing arts troupe was stationed in a bomb shelter while the officers and soldiers faced the enemy. With limited weapons, our troops had to wait until the enemy was very close before firing to conserve ammunition. Some soldiers were willing to sacrifice themselves to attack enemy tanks,” playwright Nguyen Minh Tuan recounted. It is these noble sacrifices that create the beauty of peace and will be remembered by future generations.

Liberation Day

The performing arts troupe was not a combat force, so they were not equipped with weapons and lacked battlefield experience. Yet, it was these people, "without a single weapon in their hands," who managed to persuade two enemy ships to surrender during the historic April voyage towards Tan An.

It was the night of April 29th, when the Long An Troupe was on its journey from Ba Thu, Cambodia to Tan An, and stopped for the night in My Phu, Thu Thua. After performing for the soldiers and civilians, the members of the Troupe went to sleep, but for some reason, journalist Nguyen Dung, then the Head of the Long An Performing Arts Troupe, tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, he heard gunfire and, thinking they might be encountering the enemy, organized a five-member combat team to protect their unit. Seeing flares on the riverbank, the team went to the bank and saw two enemy ships drifting towards them.

Mr. Dung recounted that after realizing the gunfire belonged to our troops, he was somewhat reluctant to fight. However, the revolutionary spirit at that time was "village liberate village, district liberate district, province liberate province, causing the enemy to disintegrate on the spot, preventing them from gathering forces to fight against us." If he didn't fight, he would be guilty towards the people and the country in the future, so he decided to confront the enemy.

He said, “We called on the enemy to surrender, using flashlights to guide their ships to shore. As soon as the enemy ships docked, we boarded them and ordered the soldiers to disembark. Just then, the messenger reported that the Liberation Army commander's order was for all ships to anchor at the Vam Co Tay river junction and not move. We ordered the two approaching ships to comply with the Liberation Army commander's order. When I returned to the unit to rest, I thought to myself, if the enemy hadn't surrendered and had resisted, with the weapons on board, we would surely have been annihilated. Yet they obeyed our orders, we who had 'not a single weapon' in our hands. This shows the strength of the Liberation Army at that time, and in combat, the spirit of the soldiers is also a crucial factor.”

On April 30, 1975, sharing in the nationwide joy, the Long An Performing Arts Troupe also arrived in Tan An, taking on the task of taking over the Psychological Warfare headquarters. Everyone shared in the triumphant joy! The officers and soldiers of the Performing Arts Troupe busily prepared for the performance to celebrate the victory.

In the past, whenever a unit or locality was liberated, the troupe would often perform as a congratulatory gesture, a reward. The performance celebrating April 30th was completely different; the troupe got to sing under a free sky.

Even after 50 years, playwright Nguyen Minh Tuan still cannot forget the atmosphere of that first performance after the peace treaty. "Although the equipment was malfunctioning at the time, sometimes working, sometimes not, everyone sang with passion. Many people came to watch, their faces beaming with joy," he recounted.

Guilin

Source: https://baolongan.vn/khuc-trang-ca-trong-bom-dan-a194487.html