17-year-old male student turns bilingual poetry into a bridge to reading culture

(CLO) Not only writing bilingual poetry at the age of 17, Hoang Tuan Minh, a 12th grade student at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School, also brought his work "Red Pen" to the school library, contributing a small part to the effort to innovate reading and extracurricular education activities according to the 2018 General Education Program.

“The Red Pen” is the first collection of poems by the 17-year-old boy, written in both Vietnamese and English. Tuan Minh’s poems are clear and rich in imagery, but behind them are mature thoughts about family, teachers, school and the journey to adulthood of today’s generation of students.

Minh shared that he came to poetry as a natural way to express his emotions: “I only write about what I experience, from family love to a glass of avocado smoothie in the morning or cycling around Hanoi . Small things sometimes help me see life as more lovely.”

Exchange of the poetry book "Red Pen" by Hoang Tuan Minh with students of Bui Quoc Khai Primary School, Hanoi.

Hoang Tuan Minh shares his feelings about his bilingual poetry book.

The most interesting thing is the image of the red pen, a familiar symbol in student life and also the main inspiration of the poetry collection.

“When I was little, I was afraid of red pens because they marked out mistakes. But as I grew older, I understood that red pens were the way teachers pointed us in the right direction. Everyone has their own voice, and we shouldn’t be afraid to speak up,” Minh confided.

The poetry collection was written over nearly a year – a tireless journey to preserve the Vietnamese language in the hearts of young people, while connecting Vietnamese emotions with the world through bilingual poetry.

Reading the manuscript of “The Red Pen”, poet Bao Ngoc expressed his surprise at Tuan Minh’s dedication and unique way of feeling poetry: “Young people today are not as indifferent as many people think. They have a keen observation of familiar things, love their family, are proud of their nation and express themselves in creative language. Minh’s boldness in writing bilingual poems is even more valuable – helping the Vietnamese language to spread far and wide and reach many international friends.”

Also at the exchange, Bui Quoc Khai Primary School received 900 books to donate to the library - including "The Red Pen" and many other children's works. The gift not only has reading value but also contributes to inspiring students to study.

Student Hoang Tuan Minh (standing in the middle) and poet Bao Ngoc (right) donated 900 books to Bui Quoc Khai Primary School Library.

Teacher and students of Bui Quoc Khai Primary School with the work Red Pen.

Teachers of Bui Quoc Khai Primary School took souvenir photos with students and the poet.

Teacher Nguyen Thuy Huong, Principal of the school, shared: “The school always encourages students to study in the library and open spaces, inspiring creativity. Today’s 900 books not only enrich the bookshelf, but also serve as a bridge connecting students with reading culture and literary people.”

“Books should not just be on the shelves of bookstores. When they are given to students, those pages truly come to life, spreading knowledge and the love of the writer,” poet Bao Ngoc said emotionally.

The "red pen" has transformed from an ordinary object into a symbol of the learning journey, of mistakes being corrected, and of the desire to express oneself with one's own voice.

The emergence of young authors like Tuan Minh is a sign that poetry still flows strongly in school life. And more than that, it is also a gentle reminder that: Each book may not change a life, but it can change a heart, and from there create greater things.

Source: https://congluan.vn/nam-sinh-17-tuoi-bien-tho-song-ngu-thanh-cau-noi-van-hoa-doc-10316187.html