Ho Chi Minh City leaders visit and pay tribute to artists and writers.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders visited and paid tribute to artists and writers who have contributed to the 50-year journey of building the cultural image of Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Having more faith in the future.

Along with visiting the three artists Kim Cương, Hữu Lộc, and Trần Xuân Tiến, the delegation of leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee will also visit and present gifts to outstanding artists, artists in difficult circumstances, and encourage collectives 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 Trà Giang, People's Artist Thanh Tuấn, musician Trần Long Ẩn, Meritorious Artist Lê Thiện, painter Đặng Ái Việt, poet Lê Giang, poet Hoài Vũ, People's Artist - musician Thế Hiển… and elderly artists residing at Thị Nghè Nursing Home such as Mạc Can, Diệu Hiền, Ngọc Đáng, Huỳnh Thanh Trà…

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (3rd from the 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 Cương said emotionally: "For the past half-century, I have lived and created alongside the development of the country and Ho Chi Minh City. I clearly feel the affection that the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City have for the artists and writers, in the form of words of encouragement and practical actions."

She said that she will soon be taking a group of 15 veteran artists to the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute for a check-up and heart disease screening. "After 10 years of organizing the 'Artists' Appreciation' program, I no longer have the health to continue organizing Tet gift-giving for impoverished artists, so I have switched to organizing visits, check-ups, and screenings for veteran artists. I have received support and favorable conditions from the management of the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute and Van Phuc City Hospital. The veteran artists are very excited about this health screening program," said People's Artist Kim Cuong.

Composer Tran Long An, former Chairman of the Union of Literature and Arts Associations of Ho Chi Minh City, believes that there is no gift more precious than recognition and support. 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 dedicating themselves to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meritorious Artist Le Thien, who had the opportunity to perform at the Presidential Palace twice and meet President Ho Chi Minh, could not hide his emotion: "I feel heartened by the city leaders' attention. We artists don't wish for anything grand; we just need to be given every opportunity to continue creating."

Photographer Nguyen Huu Loc, who has dedicated his career to capturing authentic moments of life in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, expressed: "Each photograph I take is a vivid story of an era. Today, being remembered by the city's leaders, I feel that the stories I tell are more meaningful than ever."

Director Bui Thac Chuyen observed: "I see that the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City not only honor the past but also create opportunities for today's generation to continue the creative spirit. This is necessary and extremely meaningful support to give artists more confidence in the future."

Voices from the heart of the artist

Besides expressing their sincere gratitude for the attention and appreciation from Ho Chi Minh City leaders, the artists also shared their thoughts related to the artistic fields they have been and are currently contributing to. Composer Pham Minh Tuan, author of the song "City Smile," who participated in the songwriting contest on the theme "The Nation's Complete Joy" and was recently awarded the "Lifetime Artist for Vietnamese Music " award by the Editorial Board of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, stated: "Music is the language of the national soul. A composer has the responsibility to reflect and inspire patriotism and national pride. I believe that today's generation of artists will continue this spirit with works rich in humanistic values ​​and modernity."

People's Artist Thanh Tuan, the golden voice of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) (who recently overcame a life-threatening heart condition and received timely treatment at Cho Ray Hospital), believes that Cai Luong is an integral part of Southern Vietnamese culture. As a Cai Luong artist, he is deeply moved to see that the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City always stand by, listen to, and encourage Cai Luong artists to continue creating.

"This attention helps revitalize the traditional art of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) in the hearts of the people. I am grateful for the concern of the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, which helped me overcome the critical period of my illness recently, not only visiting me but also covering all my medical expenses," - People's Artist Thanh Tuan expressed his gratitude.

People's Artist Dinh Bang Phi, one of the "great masters" of traditional Vietnamese opera (hat boi), said passionately: "Hat boi is the soul and essence 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, and the efforts of dedicated artists, hat boi will live on through time. Hat boi will be introduced into schools through school theater, so that hat boi art can be closer to young audiences."

Writer and artist Mac Can, who has been involved with theater and literature for decades, is currently residing at the Thi Nghe Nursing Home (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City). Upon learning of the Ho Chi Minh City leadership delegation's visit, he humorously remarked: "I'm no longer young enough to perform shows, but I'm still lucid enough to write things that make people laugh and ponder. Thank you to the Ho Chi Minh City leadership for not forgetting elderly artists like me. This attention motivates me to continue creating and preserving beautiful cultural messages for future generations."

Meritorious Artist Dieu Hien, a renowned Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) singer from a bygone era (currently residing at Thi Nghe Nursing Home), expressed: "I no longer perform on stage, but I still listen to Cai Luong in my heart every day. Being visited by city leaders, I feel that the music and songs have never been forgotten. That is an incredibly meaningful gift."

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

Artist Dang Ai Viet, known as "the portrait painter of heroic Vietnamese mothers," emotionally said: "I traveled across the country to capture the faces of these mothers, these historical witnesses, through my paintings. The city leaders' recognition of that journey gives me more motivation to continue painting, painting not only with colors but also with gratitude."

Composer Truong Quang Luc, author of many children's and revolutionary songs, shared with heartfelt emotion: "I write for children to preserve the purest and most innocent aspects of this country. The attention from the city leaders is an encouragement for a genre of music that has persistently nurtured the souls of many generations."

The timely, attentive, and compassionate attention from the city's leaders has created a warm atmosphere, encouraging artists to continue keeping the flame of creativity alive for Ho Chi Minh City today and in the future, contributing to further enriching the identity of Ho Chi Minh City - a civilized, modern, and compassionate city.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, emphasized: "Artists and writers are precious spiritual assets of Ho Chi Minh City. Literature and art are an indispensable part of the people's spiritual life and the development of Ho Chi Minh City. For the past 50 years, artists and writers have been the guardians of memories, igniting passions and creating a unique cultural identity for Ho Chi Minh City. The leaders of Ho Chi Minh City acknowledge, appreciate, and are grateful for the great, silent, yet persistent contributions of artists and writers. Ho Chi Minh City always aims to develop culture on par with socio-economic development. Besides providing policy and mechanism support, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to implement practical activities to care for the material and spiritual lives of artists and writers."

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