Ho Chi Minh City leaders visit and pay tribute to artists

On May 23, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - and a delegation of leaders of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee visited 3 artists: People's Artist Kim Cuong, musician Tran Xuan Tien and photographer Nguyen Huu Loc.

Have more faith in the future

Along with visiting the three artists Kim Cuong, Huu Loc and Tran Xuan Tien, the delegation of leaders of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will also visit and present gifts to outstanding artists and artists in difficult circumstances, as well as encourage groups and individuals who are actively contributing to the development of cultural and artistic life in Ho Chi Minh City. Outstanding artists include: People's Artist Tra Giang, People's Artist Thanh Tuan, musician Tran Long An, Meritorious Artist Le Thien, painter Dang Ai Viet, poet Le Giang, poet Hoai Vu, People's Artist - musician The Hien... and elderly artists living at Thi Nghe Nursing Home such as Mac Can, Dieu Hien, Ngoc Dang, Huynh Thanh Tra...

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (3rd from right) and a delegation of officials from the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the City Party Committee visited and presented gifts to People's Artist Kim Cuong (Photo: THUY BINH)

Speaking at the meeting, People's Artist Kim Cuong was moved: "For the past half century, I have lived and created along with the development journey of the country and Ho Chi Minh City. I clearly feel the affection of Ho Chi Minh City leaders for the artists, which are words of encouragement and practical actions."

She said that she will soon take a group of 15 veteran artists to the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute for heart health check-ups and screening. "After 10 years of organizing the program "Artists with a Heart", I am no longer healthy enough to continue organizing Tet gift giving for poor artists, so I have switched to organizing visits, examinations and screening for diseases for veteran artists. I have received help and created all conditions from the board of directors of the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute and Van Phuc City Hospital. The veteran artists are very excited about this health screening program" - People's Artist Kim Cuong said.

Musician Tran Long An, former Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations, said that there is no gift more precious than recognition and companionship. The Ho Chi Minh City government always values ​​the role of artists in contributing to building the city's cultural identity. This meeting is a great source of encouragement for generations of artists to continue to devote themselves and contribute to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meritorious Artist Le Thien, who has performed twice at the Presidential Palace and met Uncle Ho, could not hide his emotion: "I feel warm when the city leaders care. We artists do not wish for anything great, we just need to be given all the conditions to continue creating."

Photographer Nguyen Huu Loc, who has devoted his entire career to capturing authentic moments of life in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, said: "Every photo I take is a vivid account of a time. Today, being remembered by the city's leaders, I find the stories I tell more meaningful than ever."

Director Bui Thac Chuyen said: "I see that Ho Chi Minh City leaders not only show gratitude to the past but also create opportunities for today's generation to continue the creative flow. This is a necessary and extremely meaningful support for artists to have more faith in the future."

Voices from the heart of the artist

In addition to expressing their sincere feelings for the attention and gratitude of the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, the artists also shared their thoughts related to the art field to which they have been and are contributing. Musician Pham Minh Tuan, author of the song "City Smile", participated in the campaign to compose the theme song "The Country is Full of Joy" and was recently awarded the "Lifetime Artist for Vietnamese Music " award by the Editorial Board of the Lao Dong Newspaper, confided: "Music is the language of the nation's soul. Musicians must have the responsibility to reflect and inspire patriotism and national pride. I believe that today's generation of artists will continue that spirit with works rich in humanity and modernity".

People's Artist Thanh Tuan, the golden voice of the Cai Luong stage (who just survived a near-death experience due to heart disease and was promptly treated by Cho Ray Hospital), believes that Cai Luong is a part of the culture of the South. As a Cai Luong artist, he was very moved to see that the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City always accompany, listen to and encourage Cai Luong artists to continue creating.

"This attention helps the traditional art of Cai Luong to have more vitality in the hearts of the people. I thank the attention of the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City for helping me overcome the critical moment of illness recently, not only visiting but also supporting all my hospital fees" - People's Artist Thanh Tuan was grateful.

People's Artist Dinh Bang Phi, one of the "old trees" of the art of hát bội, said passionately: "Hất bội is the soul left by our ancestors. Although it is no longer as popular as before, it is an indispensable cultural foundation. I believe that with the attention of the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, along with the efforts of the team of artists who are passionate about the art of hát bội, it will live forever. The art of hát bội will be brought into schools through school stages, so that the art of hát bội is closer to young audiences."

Writer and artist Mac Can, who has been involved in theater and literature for decades, is living at Thi Nghe Nursing Home (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City). When he heard that the Ho Chi Minh City leaders were visiting, he humorously said: "I am no longer young enough to run shows, but I am still sober enough to write things that make people laugh and think. Thank you, Ho Chi Minh City leaders, for not forgetting elderly artists like me. This concern is the motivation for me to continue creating beautiful cultural messages for the future."

Meritorious Artist Dieu Hien, a once-famous cai luong singer (currently at Thi Nghe Nursing Home), expressed: "I no longer perform on stage, but I still listen to vong co in my heart every day. When the city leaders visited me, I felt that the music and the songs have never been forgotten. That is a great and extremely meaningful gift."

Sharing the same sentiment, artist Huynh Thanh Tra, who has performed many memorable roles on the stage of Kim Cuong Drama Troupe, sincerely shared: "We wish for nothing more than to have good health to continue accompanying the younger generation. Since Ho Chi Minh City created conditions for me to stay at Thi Nghe Nursing Home, I and other veteran artists have received very good medical care. I sincerely thank the city's leaders for their attention to veteran artists."

Painter Dang Ai Viet, who is known as "the portraitist of heroic Vietnamese mothers", emotionally said: "I travel across the country to record the faces of mothers, historical witnesses, in paintings. The city leaders' recognition of that journey gives me more motivation to continue painting, painting not only with colors but also with gratitude."

Musician Truong Quang Luc, author of many children's and revolutionary songs, shared with a passionate voice: "I write for children to preserve the purest and most innocent things of this country. Being cared for by the city's leaders, I see it as encouragement for a genre of music that has persistently nurtured the souls of many generations."

The timely, close and affectionate attention from the city's leaders has created a warm atmosphere, encouraging the artists to continue to keep the creative fire burning for Ho Chi Minh City today and tomorrow, contributing to deepening the identity of Ho Chi Minh City - a civilized, modern and affectionate city.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - emphasized: "Artists are the precious spiritual assets of Ho Chi Minh City. Literature and art are an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the people and the development of Ho Chi Minh City. Over the past 50 years, artists have been the ones who preserve memories, ignite passion and create a unique cultural appearance for Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City leaders acknowledge, respect and are grateful for the great, silent and persistent contributions of artists. Ho Chi Minh City always sets the goal of developing culture on par with socio -economic development. In addition to supporting policies and mechanisms, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to implement practical activities to care for the material and spiritual life of artists."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lanh-dao-tp-hcm-tham-va-tri-an-van-nghe-si-196250523201156505.htm