29th Mai Vàng Awards Ceremony

Twenty-eight seasons of the Mai Vàng Awards have passed, from the days when the awards were simply held at Suối Tiên Tourist Area and Đầm Sen Cultural Park to their professionalization, and now they are entering their 29th season.

* Reporter: As the general director of this year's Mai Vàng Awards ceremony, how do you feel about having been involved with the program for so many years?

- Journalist THANH HIEP - General Director of the 29th Mai Vang Awards Ceremony - 2023 : This year, despite the difficult economic situation, the cultural and artistic fields of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the whole country in general have shown positive signs. The public still shows interest, going to theaters to watch plays and films, and welcoming the music videos and songs of artists and singers released in 2023. This has always contributed to the success of the Mai Vang Awards - an award that is different from other awards, as it is a game played by the audience and readers, who introduce, nominate, and then vote for their favorite artists.

Personally, I am interested in the three outstanding Cultural and Artistic awards that have been announced as winners of the Mai Vàng Award: painter Phùng Quảng Đông with his artwork "Forest 2" - clearly conveying the ideological theme of protecting natural forests, our lungs, making the fight to protect primeval forests a frontline that cannot be neglected; photographer Nguyễn Văn Phụng with his photo series "Bridges in the Heart of Ho Chi Minh City" - vividly and brilliantly depicting the city's ever-changing appearance with the emergence of modern bridges; and the anthology of six stage scripts titled "The Singing Actress" by writer Nguyễn Thị Minh Ngọc (published by the Stage Publishing House) - an excellent literary work that shows the author's deep connection to the stage and its humanistic themes.

* Having held the same role for many years, do you feel pressured when producing the program, given that everyone hopes for something new and different each year?

- I've always enjoyed facing pressure, and since taking on this role, the opportunity to gain experience and reinvent myself has made me conscious of dedicating more time to reflection and accumulating new ideas in staging and organizing the artistic programs for the Mai Vàng Awards ceremony, so that each year brings something new and captivating until the very last minute.

* Given the challenging economic conditions, did that limit your creativity?

- Of course, but with the principle of unity and cooperation, our sponsors have always stood by our side, ensuring that every spring, the Golden Apricot Blossoms bloom beautifully. Given this invaluable support, my responsibility is to explore and innovate to bring a new mark to this year's Golden Apricot Blossom Awards.

* Which performance is expected to create a distinctive highlight at the 2023 Mai Vàng Awards ceremony, sir?

- This is the fourth year I've been entrusted by the Editorial Board with the responsibility of directing the Mai Vàng Awards ceremony organized by Người Lao Động Newspaper. Each year, I've created a few highlight performances. The musical performance "Kindness Around Us" is expected to make a mark on the 2023 Mai Vàng Awards ceremony. Through their abilities, these workers, including Mr. Trần Văn Hồng and Ms. Nguyễn Thị My, even though they are nearly 90 years old, still cook vegetarian meals and distribute them for free to the poor in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City – this is a very noble example that the younger generation should look up to in order to live more decent lives.

Journalist and general director Thanh Hiep (Photo: TAN THANH)

Inspired by the essay "Kindness Around Us" about Mrs. Hong and Mrs. My (organized by the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper), I created a musical scene and received the support of renowned artists: People's Artist Le Thuy, People's Artist Minh Vuong, People's Artist Phuong Loan, Meritorious Artist Tu Suong, Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam, and Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh.

In particular, the two artists who will portray the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hong, are artist Tu Trinh and Meritorious Artist Cong Ninh. The performance will also feature the Lac Long Quan Theater Club, with young actors who are my students.

* Taking place during "awards season," are you worried about being compared to other awards shows that have been and are currently taking place at the same time?

- Each award has its own criteria, and what makes them different is that uniqueness. Since 2021, the Editorial Board of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper has decided to award the "Artist for the Community" and "Lifetime Artist for the Community" prizes. This is the message that the Mai Vang Awards always send to artists, because after a year of hard work in the arts, the achievements are the recognition of readers and audiences for the roles, songs, music videos, and artistic products that individual artists and groups have created.

But most importantly, it's the responsibility to society, the awareness of being a citizen artist, that these two awards remind artists who win the Mai Vàng Awards each year that, even if they have won many Mai Vàng trophies, their efforts are ultimately a tireless dedication to the community using their own abilities and stemming from a pure heart.

The two People's Artists Kim Cương and Lệ Thủy were truly deserving of the "Lifetime Artist for the Community" award, or singer Đen Vâu this year received the "Artist for the Community" award for his music video "Cooking for You," which received overwhelmingly positive feedback from readers and audiences nationwide.

One thing the Mai Vàng Awards always aim for as it enters its 30th year is to have nationwide coverage. Therefore, in this year's voting list for 14 categories, there are many artists from the North who have been nominated by readers and audiences.

* How is your personal touch reflected in this program?

- This year, the Editorial Board of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper has set the requirement to create a youthful and vibrant atmosphere for welcoming the Lunar New Year. I myself have had to rejuvenate my own ideas. In addition to drawing lessons from observing many traditional music, dance, and theatrical performances throughout the year, I have also strived to immerse myself in the search for new talents, so that besides the singers and artists already familiar with the Mai Vang Awards, there are many promising young faces that will make a beautiful impression on this year's program.

* What results are you expecting from the 29th Mai Vàng Awards - 2023?

- I believe that readers and the audience are the most powerful people in determining the final outcome. I hope that the achievements of this year's competition will be a source of creative inspiration for the winning artists and singers.

* With your experience and connections in the entertainment industry, you surely have some "special advantages" from bringing together stars for the show that aren't available elsewhere?

- Behind me is a press agency under the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. The relationships I've built over more than 30 years all stem from the prestige of the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper. The most touching thing is that every year when preparing the program script, many artists and singers want to participate, whether in the role of performing or announcing and presenting awards. Because only in the space of the Mai Vang Awards ceremony can artists truly reminisce, meet, and reflect on a year of artistic work.

* As the overall director of the 29th Mai Vàng Awards ceremony in 2023, what message do you believe needs to be emphasized and widely disseminated to the audience?

- The Mai Vàng Awards will forever be a meaningful springtime bridge connecting readers, audiences, and artists nationwide. From this connection, the spirit of enthusiastic creativity will spread, transmitting positive energy to the younger generation who are venturing into the arts.

* If given the freedom to be creative with strong financial support, what kind of Mai Vàng Awards ceremony would you like to create?

- If given this opportunity, I would promote elements that honor traditional art. In fact, many senior artists in the traditional field have been awarded the Mai Vang Prize by readers. They value artistic prestige, just as the Mai Vang Prize is a standard, so honoring them would be a positive way for young artists today to reflect on themselves.

"The goal of the Mai Vàng Awards is to contribute to promoting worthy works and performances that are well-invested and honor national pride. The current Cai Luong stage is seeing the involvement of many young artists, which is a positive sign, but it also presents many challenges for these young people: how to bring Cai Luong art closer to the younger audience," director Thanh Hiep expressed.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/le-trao-giai-mai-vang-29-2023-ky-vong-vao-ca-canh-long-tot-quanh-ta-196240115214440561.htm