"Worrying about medical examinations and burial coffins", the final work of the legendary woman Kim Cuong

From left to right: Journalist Hoang Kim, Cat Vu, People's Artist Kim Cuong and Journalist Duong Thi Lien Chi at the meeting.

On the afternoon of June 11, at a meeting of the Theory and Criticism Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association and a number of reporters specializing in writing about theater at press and television agencies, People's Artist Kim Cuong said that the current goal is to mobilize 3 coffin shops to take care of the funerals of poor artists who cannot afford funerals after they pass away.

The Vietnamese stage was once proud of its great glory, but it was also a place filled with the silent sadness of old, sick artists who lived in poverty and passed away quietly. That is the reality that People's Artist Kim Cuong herself witnessed during her decades of involvement in the stage.

Theater reporters working at the home of People's Artist Kim Cuong

"Currently, there are 3 coffin shops that have agreed to join me in this humanitarian work. The life of an artist is very difficult in the late afternoon. Without enough money to eat, how can we take care of medical examinations and funeral arrangements when we pass away? If we take care of everything, the coffin shops will calculate and say they don't have enough money, so each artist must have at least 15 million VND when they pass away, to help the coffin shop take care of everything. I agree with this plan, I will run around and lobby to take care of it..." - She shared.

Since the beginning of the year, People's Artist Kim Cuong, through the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, has organized two medical examinations at the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute and Van Phuc City Hospital - Thu Duc City to bring more than 30 poor artists and theater workers for medical examinations. This June, it is expected that 15 artists will continue to receive medical examinations at the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute.

The Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association's Theory and Criticism Board and theater reporters met at the home of People's Artist Kim Cuong.

"Since stopping the program "Tri Am Artist" after 10 years of giving Tet gifts to poor artists, the last one in 2024 each artist received 10 million VND/person. Up to now, I am no longer healthy enough to "run", so I switched to taking care of medical examinations for poor artists and now the goal is to take care of funerals for poor artists who do not have enough money to buy coffins and take care of funerals" - People's Artist Kim Cuong shared.

Throughout her long journey with the stage and the community, People's Artist Kim Cuong is not only an artistic icon but also a kind heart that always turns towards the miserable lives behind the lights.

At the age of 88, when she no longer appears in public regularly, she still quietly contributes - this time not through performances, but through a gesture imbued with humanity: taking care of the funerals of poor and lonely artists.

Journalist Duong Thi Lien Chi - Theory and Criticism Board of Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association - said: "Implementing the program to support the burial of artists in difficulty is a beautiful gesture of People's Artist Kim Cuong. According to her, three coffin shops have committed to accompany the program, ensuring that the burial is carried out in a thoughtful, complete and humane manner. That is a wonderful action".

With a sad but determined voice, People's Artist Kim Cuong shared: "I don't want any more artists to lie down alone, without anyone knowing, without anyone caring. They have devoted their whole lives to art, to the audience, so at the end of their lives, at least they should be given a proper farewell."

This act of kindness is not new to People's Artist Kim Cuong. Previously, she founded the program "Tri Am Artist", which has been organizing 10 years of giving Tet gifts to poor artists. "But this plan has a special depth: touching the final resting place of artists who are no longer able to take care of themselves" - journalist Cat Vu, Theory and Criticism Board of Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association - said.

According to the plan, the Ho Chi Minh City Theatre Association will be the focal point to receive information and carry out legal procedures, coordinate with the family or place of residence to organize the burial of the deceased artist. The three coffin shops that have volunteered to accompany the program will take care of all expenses and funeral services - from coffins, transportation vehicles, funeral decorations to embalming.

What is valuable is that this program is not a temporary "subsidy" but is designed as a long-term humanitarian institution, with specific processes and coordination between artists, professional associations and businesses.

In the future, this model could be expanded to become a last resort system for homeless artists.

"I do this not to pity anyone. I do it because I believe that artists deserve to be recognized with humanity, with colleagueship, with gratitude from society."

In a society that is changing with a fast pace of life, where silent losses are easily forgotten, her actions are a reminder of the ethical values in the art profession that the young generation of artists and young singers who are attracting the public must accompany.

It is not only compassion but also the preservation of the core of camaraderie - the "artistic" quality that lies not only in the role, but also in the way they live and behave with each other in community life.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lo-kham-benh-lo-hom-chon-cong-trinh-cuoi-doi-cua-ky-nu-kim-cuong-196250612063903513.htm